Officials worry if bond amounts will be sufficientSkyrocketing costs of construction materials delaying some projectsAs cities, counties and school districts across Texas propose hundreds of millions of construction dollars in bonds on the May 10 election ballot, purchasing managers are nervous over whether they are asking the voters for enough money to actually build the projects. In the last five years, statistics show that the cost of construction materials has gone up 30.2 percent compared to 14.5 percent for overall inflation. In a report by the Associated General Contractors of America, the cost of key construction materials has shot up even higher: diesel fuels, 280 percent; copper and brass, 240 percent; steel mill products, 165 percent; and concrete, 125 percent. Michael Chatron (top left), executive director of the Associated General Contractor of Texas (AGC), said many local governments and school districts are having trouble keeping up with construction costs. "In today's global economy, the higher price of a barrel of oil and the emerging markets such as China, Malaysia and India are causing far stiffer competition for those materials," Chatron said. "Many people are thinking that prices should level off because we're in an economic slowdown, but they are failing to take into account what's going on globally." Phil Thoden (top right), president of AGC's Austin office, said the falling dollar may be the ultimate culprit in the increase in construction prices. [more]Morrissey to serve as governor's senior advisorMike Morrissey (pictured), who has served as director of Gov. Rick Perry's Budget, Planning and Policy Division since 2001, has been promoted to senior advisor on Perry's executive staff. As senior advisor, Morrissey will continue to oversee budget policy issues but will also advise the governor on fiscal responsibility, transparency and government operation. While serving as director of Budget, Planning and Policy, Morrissey was responsible for development and implementation and long-range planning of the state's budget and policy initiatives. Morrissey has also served three lieutenant governors - as director of fiscal policy for Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff, budget director and special assistant to the late Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock and budget director for then-Lt. Gov. Perry. His other state government service includes an eight-year stint as legal counsel/budget examiner for the Legislative Budget Board. Morrissey holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma and a law degree from the University of Arkansas and is licensed to practice law in Texas. SPI now offering customized research services to governmental entities throughout the United States!Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) has been a leader in providing customized government research services to the commercial sector for more than 13 years. Now, SPI is offering the same type of customized research services to governmental entities throughout the country. Governmental agencies and nonprofits in Texas will benefit from the fact that SPI has developed a number of proprietary, searchable statewide databases which contain an extensive amount of detailed historical information relating to procurement, expenditures, contracts, HUB awards and inventory. SPI has an impressive research team, composed of former government project managers, subject matter experts and budget analysts, who are uniquely skilled in handling both Texas-specific as well as national research projects. It's easy to work with SPI. Services are available on an hourly or project basis. The team spends 100% of every day working in the governmental area. SPI is registered on the CMBL and is HUB certified. As former government employees, the research team is pleased to be working with governmental agencies, cities, counties, universities and nonprofits. If these offerings are of interest, or to get questions answered, call Reagan Weil at (512) 531-3900 or rweil@spartnerships.com. Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone StarsThis week's salute is to Renu Khator, chancellor of the University of Houston System and president of the University of HoustonCareer highlights and education: I was appointed chancellor of the University of Houston System and president of the University of Houston in January 2008. I oversee a four-university system with an annual operating budget that exceeds $1 billion, serves more than 57,000 students and has an overall economic impact of $3 billion on the Greater Houston area each year. I was born in India, earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Kanpur then received my master's degree and Ph.D. in political science from Purdue University. My academic specialty is global environmental policy. Prior to my appointment here in the Lone Star State, I served as provost and senior vice president at the University of South Florida, capping a 22-year career at that institution. What I like best about my job is: The best part of the job is to always be in an intellectually stimulating environment where new ideas are constantly emerging and old ideas are approached in new ways. My interaction with students - seeing their eyes filled with curiosity - is the best part of my daily routine! The best advice I've received for my current job is: Don't hide behind your desk...be with the people you are supposed to lead. Touch and feel the university, don't just administer it. I spoke with many former as well sitting presidents of universities and received many invaluable insights. The most helpful insights were from those who told me what they did wrong and how they would have done it the second time. Advice I would give a new hire in my office: When life gives you lemons and everyone is busy making lemonade, think about making margaritas. It is not about you; it is about the people you lead and inspire to achieve collectively. It is the power of synergy - synergy of vision, efforts and results - that will move the needle. If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: in my backyard reading a book, or chatting with my daughters (even though on phone) or buying shoes in the Galleria. People would be surprised to know that: People are generally surprised that I had an arranged marriage, and the best part is admitting that he has been perfect in every way for the past 34 years! One thing I wish more people knew about the University of Houston: We're one of the most diverse and ambitious research institutions in the country with a faculty that includes Pulitzer Prize winners, members of the National Academy of Science and a Nobel Laureate - in other words, that we're a great university ready to achieve Tier One status. Each week, the Texas Government Insider profiles a key government executive or decision-maker. If you would like to suggest a "Lone Star," please email us at editor@spartnerships.com. Army of volunteer attorneys assist with CPS hearingsAn army of volunteers, including some 350 attorneys, continues to provide safety and care for the more than 400 children removed more than a week ago from the Yearning for Zion (YFZ) ranch in what could be the nation's largest child custody case. An emergency order gave the State of Texas custody of the children after allegations of physical and sexual abuse of teenager girls at the compound near Eldorado. The first day of hearings involved the hundreds of children began Thursday. If all of the children become wards of the state, it will trigger a significant undertaking by state child protection agencies to try to find foster homes for them. While volunteers from nearby towns have been called upon to help feed and care for the children, volunteer attorneys are now involved in the legal aspect of this massive undertaking. They came from all parts of the state - from Amarillo, East Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. CPS caseworkers from throughout the state are being called on to assist as well. The attorneys are assisting court staff at two locations - in Schleicher and Tom Green counties and are being assisted by Carl Reynolds (pictured), executive director of the Texas Office of Court Administration (OCA). The Texas Supreme Court's Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families and the Texas Access to Justice Committee also are assisting. The judicial commission was recently created to "channel resources and train lawyers, child-protection social workers and other staff involved with courts handling child-protection cases," according to an advisory Thursday from Osler McCarthy, staff attorney for public information for the Texas Supreme Court. [more]Spears new appointments director in Governor's OfficeTeresa Spears (left) has been named Director of Appointments in Gov. Rick Perry's office. She replaces former director Ken Anderson (right). Spears, who previously served as deputy director, will now take over the director role and serve as top advisor to the governor regarding gubernatorial appointments. She has worked on political grassroots efforts for the governor for several years. Anderson leaves the appointments position after having served as director for the last six and one-half years, assisting the governor in finding the best and most qualified individuals to serve on a variety of state boards and commissions. Anderson is considering several business opportunities including going back into private legal practice in his hometown of Dallas. Solar power company awarded $1 million in TEF fundingHelioVolt Corp. of Austin has been awarded a $1 million investment from the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) to construct a 125,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and development space. The new facility will allow the company to test and produce its thin-film solar power cells that convert sunlight into electricity. Gov. Rick Perry, who made the announcement, said the investment should create 160 jobs and $62 million in capital investment. Texas was in competition with New York, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania for the facility and HelioVolt executives said the TEF incentive was "instrumental" in their decision to locate the facility in Austin. The company's new technology produces thinner, more absorbent and less expensive solar modules than traditional silicon technology currently used in more than 90 percent of solar modules being produced. TRS approves strategic partnership investment programA strategic partnership investment program for the Teacher Retirement System's (TRS) $110 billion pension fund has been approved by the TRS Board of Trustees. The program creates a relationship with four of the country's leading investment firms - BlackRock, JP Morgan Chase, Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley. "TRS is proud to be at the very forefront of public-sector investing," explained TRS Board Chair Jim Lee (pictured). "The Strategic Partnership program is just one in a series of improvements undertaken by the board to leverage our fund's size for the purpose of reducing risks and at the same time increasing returns." Potential benefits for the program usually only identified with private sector firms include first-time access to analytical tools and data sources that otherwise would be unavailable to the fund. The program is based upon long-term relationships unlike on Wall Street where such arrangements are normally a series of short-term relationships where partners see their transactions take place and then move on. This relationship is based on mutual long-term benefits. The program's fee arrangement is structured on a performance basis to closely align the interests of the four strategic partners with those of TRS. TxDOT reports loss of more federal fundingOfficials with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) have announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) last month issued a Notice of Rescissions of Federal-Aid Appointments, including a rescission of more than $247.9 million in funding for Texas. The latest rescission means Texas has had funding of more than $9 million rescinded by FHWA since January 2005. While in the past states have been allowed to determine which categories they wanted reduced to meet the rescission requirement, TxDOT reports that this year's legislation specifies the dollar amount to be rescinded in each eligible category. Sales tax receipts continue to increase in TexasSales tax receipts for March are up 7.4 percent over March figures for last year, according to State Comptroller Susan Combs, who noted $1.6 billion in sales tax revenue was collected in Texas in March. Checks totaling $419 million in April sales tax collections were sent to local governments, representing a 3.7 percent increase over April 2007. Sales tax allocations to local governments so far this year are up 6.4 percent. "Although the national economy is slowing, here in Texas, growth in sales tax collections remains consistent," said the comptroller. March sales tax revenue and April payments are from February sales. Texas counties received sales tax payments of $25.9 million, up 4.4 percent compared to one year ago. Calendar year-to-date, county sales tax allocations are 6.5 percent higher than last year. Another $14.2 million went to 126 special purpose taxing districts around the state, up 13.1 percent compared to last April. Ten local transit systems received $97.8 million in sales tax rebates, up 3.9 percent compared to a year ago. To view the sales tax allocations by city, click here. To view the sales tax allocations by county, click here. State leaders to meet over State Highway 161 logjamLt. Gov. David Dewhurst and other key legislators will meet in Dallas today in an attempt to end a stalemate over State Highway 161 that has threatened to derail plans to toll the highway, a development that could cost North Texas more than $1.2 billion in road funds. Work was schedule to begin this week on the road between Texas 183 and Interstate 20, in hopes of getting it ready in time for the opening of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington by 2009. That has been put off until at least Monday. Regional leaders want that the 10-mile SH161 in western Dallas County be built as a toll road. But negotiations between the North Texas Tollway Authority and the state transportation department over how much the toll contract is worth collapsed late Wednesday night, just hours before construction crews were to begin building the highway. The Texas Department of Transportation has insisted for weeks that if no agreement was in place by April 16, the road could not be built as a toll road. However, officials said they were hopeful that today's high-level negotiations could get the project back on track. Texas Forest Service trains local hazard incident teamsThe Texas Forest Service (TFS) this week is training nearly 50 Type 3 All-Hazard Incident Management Teams (AHIMT) to assist local entities to ensure government continuity in the event of a disaster. The class includes representatives of fire, rescue, medical services, law enforcement, finance and emergency management divisions of numerous local government entities. TFS will train eight regional teams, three positions deep, with teams located strategically throughout the state. Those attending are taught to work simultaneously on issues such as logistics, resource tracking, field operations, public information, agency coordination and safety. "Our goal is to form a dynamic core team - one capable of stepping in to assist when it appears an event or incident may become extended, where local resources may become overwhelmed," said TFS Incident Response Department Head Paul Hannemann (pictured), who is lead instructor for the course. IMT Coordinator Bob Koenig said students represent not only Texas organizations, but national organizations as well. Texas students hail from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Houston-Harris County and East Texas. Staples appoints Organic Ag Industry Advisory BoardA dozen members were appointed by Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples this week to the Organic Agricultural Industry Advisory Board, created by the 80th Legislature. The board will assist the Texas Department of Agriculture in assessing the state of the organic agricultural industry and offer recommendations for promoting and expanding the industry and for statewide organic agriculture product education and awareness campaigns. The Texas Organic Agricultural Industry Advisory Board will consist of:
ORCA grant funds renewable energy pilot programThe Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) has provided a $500,000 grant to the city of Seminole in Gaines County to help fund a pilot project utilizing wind power to desalinate brackish groundwater in West Texas. The more than $1 million project "could be a roadmap for how our rural communities can use wind power to help meet future water needs," said Charlie Stone (pictured), ORCA executive director. The project would be the first in the country to use wind power to desalinate drinking water for an inland city, as opposed to a town located on a coastline. Groundwater would be pumped from the brackish Santa Rosa aquifer and a wind turbine would power a reverse osmosis plant to make the water drinkable. ORCA is teaming with Texas Tech University on the project. The project could produce up to 30,000 gallons of drinking water per day. The city also has submitted a request to the Texas Water Development Board for additional funding for the project. ORCA's governing body in 2007 approved allocating $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for a Renewable Energy Demonstration Pilot Program. Another $500,000 for the program has been allocated for fiscal 2009. Texas National Guard supports mission in TrinidadBeyond the Horizon 2008 (BTH 2008), a multinational and United States joint-services military exercise in Trinidad and Tobago, is being supported by the men and women of the Texas National Guard. The project includes both humanitarian and civic assistance for the summer. A smaller Guard group will later be bound for Suriname to assist citizens there. The projects are intended to foster goodwill and improve relations between the United States and Caribbean nations in support of the U.S. Southern Command's Partnership for the Americas program. American military medical and engineer professionals from various active and reserve forces are providing free basic medical care and remodeling or constructing classrooms at schools and orphanages. Soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG) are working with U.S. military personnel and Trinidad and Tobago government officials and community leaders. One of them, TXARNG Capt. Eric Nickerson (shown in accompanying Texas Military Forces photo visiting with children at one of the school construction sites in Trinidad) is operations security team leader from the 102nd Information Operations Battalion, 49th Theater Information Operations Group. He said information operations is a complex undertaking due to the scope of responsibility. Command Sgt. Major James Matthews said the many contributions of the TXARNG toward the mission's success are not overlooked. "I think it's a great thing having the reserve and National Guard components come in and help support Beyond the Horizon," he said. Science/Tech Champions Academy establishedGov. Rick Perry recently announced a new Governor's Science and Technology Champions Academy to encourage more students to pursue careers in science, math, engineering and technology. Winners of the ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair will receive full scholarships to attend the four and on-half day residential academy at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) this summer. Larry Temple, executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission and UTSA President Ricardo Romo welcomed the 2008 winners as the first class to receive full scholarships to the academy. Studies will include engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, geology, biology and technological sciences. Students will participate in daily activities focusing upon the study of fluids in the Earth's crust and may include lessons in such areas as oil and gas exploration and recovery, global positioning system mapping and water resources. Communities share $92 million in tobacco fundsThe Tobacco Settlement Permanent Trust Account has distributed $92.3 million to Texas communities. The money, released on Wednesday, will help two cities, 159 counties, and 135 hospital districts recover their costs for indigent health care provided during 2007. "This year the state is sending 12 percent more money to communities responsible for providing indigent care," said Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. "This money comes from Texas' settlement with tobacco companies and will help communities offset the costs of providing medical care for those who cannot pay." This year's distribution to local entities increased by about $9.6 million over last year's distribution. Since the first distribution of funds in April 2001, local entities have received nearly $430 million from the trust fund. To view the complete listing of entities receiving funding and the amounts received, click here. UTMB-Galveston researcher awarded $1.2 million grantDr. Volker Neugebauer (pictured), a professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, recently received a $1.2 million grant to advance his study of pain, especially of how pain impairs the decision-making process. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke awarded the grant to Neugebauer, who came to UTMB in 1989 as a fourth-year medical student and later returned to join the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology. Neugebauer said researchers hope to determine the brain mechanism triggered by pain that disrupts the thought process and interferes with the ability to think clearly. He also expects to identify drug targets that can be used to reverse the "cognitive" deficits by restoring normal brain functions and perhaps shed more light on treating Alzheimer's disease or addiction. Judge grants DHS access to border landThe federal government has finally gained access to the property of one of the last of more than 50 Rio Grande Valley residents sought to build the border fence. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen has denied Eloisa Tamez's motion to dismiss the government's condemnation lawsuit and ordered her to give six-month access to three acres of land in El Calaboz, part of a Spanish land grant to her family near Brownsville. Tamez, a 73-year-old nursing program administrator at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, had fought the government since it sued her in late January. Her case was handled by the nonprofit Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law in Los Angeles. South Texas property owners have given the government its stiffest resistance to the border fence. In pursuit of completing a congressionally mandated goal of having 670 miles of fencing in place along the U.S.-Mexico border by the end of the year, the Bush administration said last week that it will use its authority to bypass more than 30 laws and regulations. Dahlby to serve as director of UT School of JournalismTracy Dahlby (pictured), who joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin School of Journalism in 2006, has been named director of the School of Journalism for a two-year term. He replaces Lorraine Branham, who will leave UT on July 1 to become dean of Syracuse University's School of Public Communications. Dahlby joined UT after 30 years as a journalist specializing in international affairs. He spent 13 years in Asia as Tokyo bureau chief for Newsweek and The Washington Post. In 1987, he was named managing editor of Newsweek International in New York, directing and coordinating worldwide news coverage. He is also a former contributor to National Geographic. Dahlby holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and a master's from Harvard University. Land Office notes PUF puts Triangle lands up for leaseThe final two tracts of land in Austin's Triangle are being put up for lease by the Texas General Land Office (GLO). The 22-acre property is owned by the Permanent University Fund (PUF) and developed under long-term leases. The two tracts up for lease are 3.7 and 1.7 acres. The PUF purchased 33 acres for $8.9 million from the Texas Department of Mental Retardation in 2004. Since then, 7.5 acres were sold for $3.7 million and lease payments on the remainder of the property have brought in revenue of $4.7 million. The PUF still owns 25.6 acres and the improvements. Proceeds from sales and leases benefit the PUF, which benefits the school children of Texas. UT-Permian Basin building science/tech facilityGround was broken this week on the new $54-million Science and Technology Complex at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. UTPB President David Watts (pictured) called the building a "major construction project." The building will be used for graduate and undergraduate teaching and research and for information systems support throughout the campus. The facility includes classrooms, office space, laboratories and seminar rooms. Watts said the building will allow the university to consolidate numerous science programs into one building. The 70,000-square-foot building is being paid for with tuition revenue bonds and $2 million in Permanent University Funds. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2010. Kaiser sole finalist for UTHSC-Houston presidentDr. Larry R. Kaiser (pictured), chairman of the department of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has been named sole finalist for president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Kaiser, who joined the University of Pennsylvania Department of Surgery in 1991, became head of the department in 2001. He also has served on the surgery faculty at the Washington University School of Medicine and Cornell University Medical College. He holds a bachelor's degree with high honors and a medical degree from Tulane University. Kaiser will succeed Dr. James T. Willerson, who announced last year that he would step down when a successor could be named. Willerson will leave UTHSC-Houston to become president of the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston. Historical Commission names two to regional postsThe Texas Historical Commission has named new coordinators for the Texas Heritage Trails Program, the regional tourism initiative to help communities promote tourism and revitalize economies through historic preservation. Ann Branson was recently named coordinator of the Hill Country Trail Region, encompassing 19 counties including Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Lampasas, Llano, Medina, Real, Travis, Uvalde, Williamson and Zavala. Branson, who will assist in heritage tourism development and promotion, previously served as a group services coordinator for the Kerrville convention and tourism bureau and as an events coordinator for the Denver Art Museum. Nancy P. Allen will serve as the new coordinator of the Texas Independence Trail Region, which is comprised of Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Caldwell, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, De Witt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Harris, Jackson, Karnes, Lavaca, Liberty, Matagorda, Refugio, Victoria, Waller, Washington, Wharton and Wilson counties. Allen was formerly a public relations manger for the Aransas Pass Development Group and served on the Texas Independence Trail Region board of directors when she lived in Austin County. Fort Bend considers plan for toll bridge over BrazosFort Bend County is considering building a toll bridge over the Brazos River to provide a new traffic artery for area motorists. A new bridge would make it possible for residents of the west side of the river to drive directly into Sugar Land and beyond instead of having to take U.S. 59. In February, county commissioners authorized $148,000 for a feasibility study of building and operating the toll bridge. The study is in its early stages with planners trying to determine if the bridge is economically feasible and making sure it does not create more traffic problems than it solves. Harris and Galveston counties are the only others in the area currently operating toll bridges. County Judge Bob Hebert (pictured) said the issue is whether there is sufficient traffic to cross the river to support a toll bridge. The Brazos River divides Fort Bend County roughly in half. The eastern part is a collection of sprawling suburban tracts and cities like Sugar Land and Missouri City. The western half holds Richmond and Rosenberg. Environmental waivers issue may reach Supreme CourtThe rancorous debate over building a fence along the United States-Mexico border could soon reach the U.S. Supreme Court. A pair of environmental groups - The Sierra Club and Defender of Wildlife - are seeking to limit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) powers to suspend more than 30 laws to build the fence. And the move is gathering support in Congress. However, some think the groups will face an uphill legal battle because of the broad array of powers Congress has delegated to DHS. On April 1, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced the waiver of about three dozen environmental laws to expedite construction of the border fence in Texas and Arizona. A group of 14 U.S. House Democrats, including the chair of the Homeland Security Committee, said they plan to file friend-of-the-court briefs asking the Supreme Court to take up the lawsuit on whether the department had overstepped constitutional limits. Program steers inmates to mental health careBexar County has launched it first official mental health docket to deal with individuals arrested who would be better served by treatment than jail time. Aurora Sanchez, executive director of community and development programs, told Bexar commissioners last week that the county is a leader in the state on the issue. Former Jail Administrator Dennis McKnight spearheaded an inmate re-entry program last year that focuses on connecting mentally ill inmates with social services before they are released. Other jurisdictions have adopted similar approaches, and President George W. Bush signed into law the Second Chance Act, a federal inmate re-entry program to help prisoners with job training, transitional housing and substance abuse treatment. Bexar County's program is voluntary. Eligible jail inmates must agree to be on the docket and submit to a one-year probation period. To be eligible, the defendant must be a first-time misdemeanor offender charged with a nonviolent offense. The mental health initiative is funded with a $250,000 grant and $1.5 million of the county's money. Denton city council delays vote on ban on cell phonesWhile some members of the Denton City Council voiced support for a ban on cell phones in school zones, council members did not take a vote on the proposal by the city's chief of police. The proposal would ban the use of hand-held cell phones and text messaging in the city's 31 school zones when they are in effect from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 2:30 to 4 p.m. on school days. Violators would face a $500 fine. Use of hands-free devices is not a violation of the ordinance. Council member Bob Montgomery (pictured), however, questioned whether cell phone use in school zones has actually been determined to cause any accidents in a school zone in any of the cities that have already adopted similar ordinances. He also questioned how police would enforce the ordinance. Corpus Christi approves transfer of WiFi networkThe Corpus Christi City Council recently approved an agreement that will begin transferring the city's WiFi network from the telecommunications company that had previously purchased the network envisioned to give the city's residents anywhere-anytime wireless Internet service. The transfer gives the city back rights to the 147 square miles of network, as well as improvements made by the telecommunications firm totaling $1.76 million. The company also would provide the city with about $830,000 in radios and equipment used for the network. The telecommunications firm acquired the Corpus Christi network in March 2007 for $5.3 million, but later announced it was no longer making investments in WiFi and would divest of those it had. City Manager Skip Noe (pictured) said the city had no plans in finding another corporate partner to expand the network. Users of wireless devices such as laptops can connect to the Internet through the WiFi system now, but the capability is limited, he said. The signal may not be strong enough to use in some parts of the city. The city will continue to use the system as a high-tech method of reading meters, which is saving the city an estimated $150,000 a year. Lee College selects Dennis Topper as interim presidentRegents for Lee College in Baytown on Wednesday selected Dennis Topper as interim president following the resignation of Dr. Martha Ellis, the current president who resigned after six years with the college. Topper joined Lee College in December 1989 and was named Dean of Administrative Services in May 1990. He had previously said he planned to retire in May but will now stay until a new president is selected. Topper will assume his new duties on June 1. Ellis has accepted a position at The University of Texas as head of the newly created Office of Community College Partnerships. Regents also selected a consulting firm to begin screening candidates for president. Regent Don Coffey said his goal was to select a new president by the end of 2008. College officials also will be searching for a replacement for the college's executive director, Roberta Wright, who is slated to leave that position in August. Beaumont puts together emergency management planWith experts predicting a "well above average" hurricane season this year, emergency management officials are preparing for the season that begins June 1. Some cities are already making preparations. In Beaumont, city officials are preparing their own emergency management plan, after having worked off both their own plan and other agencies' plans in recent years. Officials are working on a plan that is specific to their city, according to Beaumont Mayor Becky Ames (pictured), and that will allow the city to be eligible for more than $100,000 in grant funding. Ames said grant funds are critical, given the rising cost of emergency management. The Governor's Division of Emergency Management is hosting the 2008 Texas Hurricane Conference May 20-22 in Galveston that will be attended by emergency managers, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, Texas Military Forces, federal agencies and state agencies represented on the Governor's Emergency Management Council. Roger Roecker appointed as Friendswood City ManagerThe Friendswood City Council recently appointed Roger Roecker, who previously served as the city's investment officer, as its new city manager. The vote at the special called meeting immediately followed the council's acceptance of the resignation of City Manager Bo McDaniel, who was appointed to that position in November 2006. West University Place bans cell phones in school zoneWest University Place City Council recently approved a ban on the use of hand-held and hands-free cell phone devices in active school zones despite concerns that the ordinance would violate the First Amendment. A representative of the American Civil Liberties Union said a cell phone ban, at least to the extent it bans hands-free devices, could give rise to unwarranted intrusions on privacy. It also could lead to the possibility of discretionary stops and discretionary arrests, she said. Mayor Bob Kelly (pictured) said he supports the ban for the safety of the children using the school zones. The ordinance will go into effect Aug. 1. It carries a $200 fine for a first offense and a $500 penalty for repeat offenses. All cell phone usage, whether talking on a hand-held or hands-free device, text messaging or viewing images will be illegal in a three-block zone in front of West University Elementary School. Erath County increasing its courthouse securityErath County officials this week approved seeking bids for additional security cameras at the county courthouse. The cameras will be used to shore up security inside the courthouse by increasing security both inside and outside the facility. County officials are seeking an additional 16 cameras to upgrade the current system and allow court officials to monitor court proceedings and areas outside the courtrooms and around the outside of the courthouse. Officials plan to use proceeds from the Courthouse Security Fund, fed by a surcharge on court costs, to fund the additional cameras. Cleburne officials mulling reverse phone systemCleburne city officials are mulling the addition of a reverse phone system to augment the city-operated radio station and its 12 outdoor warning sirens. Mayor Ted Reynolds (pictured) said while the outdoor sirens alert some residents of weather and other emergencies, not everyone can hear the sirens. So warning residents who are indoors is a priority. Increasing the decibels of the sirens is not practical, said Randy Jenkins, the assistant fire chief. And while the city-operated radio station can broadcast emergency messages live from the fire station, some residents do not tune in to the station, he noted. A reverse calling system would enhance the city's ability to notify residents of emergency situations, Reynolds said. Phone numbers of local residents and businesses would be programmed into the system, which could place mass calls carrying prerecorded emergency messages. Jenkins said he plans to request the system during budget talks for the next fiscal year. Federal funding to be sought for desalination plantThe Brownsville Public Utilities Board (PUB) will seek $40 million in federal funding toward creating a regional Brownsville Seawater Desalination Plant. The funding would come from the Texas Environmental Infrastructure Program, authorized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and distributed by the Texas Water Development Board. The plant would be located at the Port of Brownsville and serve southeast Cameron County, the city of Brownsville, the port of Brownsville, Los Fresnos, Valley Municipal Utility District #2 in Rancho Viejo and Indian Lake. The plant would be capable of producing 25 million gallons of potable water each day. PUB and other interested entities would make either financial or in-kind resources to meet the 25 percent local match that is required for the grant. Loans from the Texas Water Development Board also would be sought to help fund the project. Grants for $70 million and a low-interest loan of $45 million from the Texas Legislature also will be sought. San Angelo ISD takes a look at costs for new high schoolTo help voters who support building a third 4-A high school in San Angelo, San Angelo Independent School District officials recently reported the capital cost to the district to have three 4-A schools would be more than $100 million. San Angelo trustees are asking voters to approve a little more than $99 million in bonds on May 10 but the proposal does not include funding for a third high school. Construction of a new high school would cost an estimated $72.4 million in addition to the $30 million to $39 million in renovations to Central High School, which already are in the scheduled May bond proposal recommendation from the Facilities Task Force, said Jeff Bright, the assistant superintendent who compiled the information to show voters why a third high school is not viable. Superintendent Carol Ann Bonds (pictured) said a third high school also would add $1.5 million to $2 million a year in operating costs, which includes utilities and maintenance as well as programming and extracurricular activities. Carthage receives $4.4 million shelter grantCarthage city officials were recently notified that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the city $4.4 million to be used to renovate an existing building that could be used to provide shelter during emergencies. City Manager Brenda Sanford said the grant could be used to retrofit 30,500 square feet of an existing 43,700-square-foot building owned by the city. Once the walls are reinforced to withstand winds in excess of 300 mph, the structure could house people evacuated from coastal areas during hurricanes or from other areas of the state when disasters such as fires or flooding occur, she said. The building is located along U.S. Highway 59, a designated hurricane evacuation route. City officials estimate it will cost $5.8 million to retrofit the building to the specifications of a storm shelter, but would cost an estimated $6.4 million to also add the elements to use the building as a civic center. The grant requires Carthage to match $1 million to retrofit the building into a shelter, but that match could increase to $1.5 million if the building is also used as a civic center. The city has not yet received a formal contract for the grant from FEMA, she said. The Woodlands investigating license plate camerasMembers of The Woodlands Community Association board are considering the purchase of a high-tech license plate recognition camera to make their streets safer and help identify stolen vehicles. The automated rooftop cameras help police in finding stolen license plates by instantly scanning passing vehicles and checking the numbers against a statewide report of reported auto thefts. Tom Campbell, a board member, said purchasing just one of the $30,000 cameras could result in checking 2,500 vehicles a day, thereby freeing up more police to patrol neighborhoods. He also noted that the Harris County Toll Road Authority already has 11 of the recognition cameras and expects to add another 24 by the end of April. It is fighting crime with technology instead of adding people, Campbell said. The board did not take action on the plan, but is expected to review the proposal before the next budget cycle after checking with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office to determine if the cameras could work in the area's enforcement system. Expanded court, police facility sought by The ColonyA three-phase redesign and expansion proposal for The Colony's police and court facility was presented to the city council earlier this week. Phase One would cost $4.47 million and include adding a new jail unit, evidence and property room, evidence handling area, lab and fully equipped generator to the existing facility. An indoor shooting range with a price tag of $718,500 would also be part of Phase One. Phase Two, at $1.77 million, would expand the existing communications center and create an emergency operations center. It also would include a larger patrol briefing room and offices. Phase Three, costing $2.3 million, would renovate and expand existing areas of the municipal court, police criminal investigation division, records and administration areas. City Manager Dale Cheatham (pictured) said the two parts of Phase One are probably necessary now, but questioned what it would do to the city budget given the future tax base is unknown. The council approved the design of all three phases but will make the decision on when to build and what to build at a later date. La Joya awarded $1.65 million grant to help teachersThe La Joya Independent School District recently received a $1.65 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a new program to train teachers of recent immigrants and special education students. While the grant does not specify which historical era the schools should study, La Joya officials chose the Colonial Period and have coordinated with the U.S. National Park Service as well as local educational institutions and local and national museums on the study, said Dagoberto Ramirez, the district's social studies coordinator and Teaching American History grant director. About 40 teachers will be accepted into the five-year program, Ramirez said. Some of the funding will be used to send teachers to the Washington D.C. area and other historical locations on the East Coast to research United States history. El Paso to expand red-light camera use within cityEl Paso police plan to expand the number of red-light cameras to 50 by the end of this year. El Paso police Sgt. Jack Matthews said police expect to more than double the number of red-light cameras at dangerous intersections this year, taking the number from 22 now to as many as 50 this year and up to 60 next year. East-Valley City Rep. Eddie Holguin (pictured) still is not convinced the cameras are anything more than a taxing tool for city leaders looking for cash. Lawmakers should try again to make the cameras illegal, Holguin said. Sgt. Matthews said the ultimate goal for the red-light camera program in El Paso is to make no money because people stop running lights. He said the system was not put in to generate revenue. Alvin Community College awarded nursing grantThe Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recently awarded a Nursing Innovation Grant to Alvin Community College. The two-year grant will help fund a partnership between Texas Children's Hospital and Alvin Community College to create more clinical training opportunities for associate nursing degree students, said Debra Fontenot, the grant writer and instructor in the nursing program. The program will decrease the use of traditional acute-care settings for clinical experience and utilize more nontraditional sites, such as pediatric facilities to train nursing students. Primary care practice clinics in the Houston area will be used to allow students to learn more about well-child care, health promotion practices and immunization surveillance, Fontenot said. Another alternative setting for clinical training is to have students work with a school nurse in a primary school setting to teach more about health screening and disease management. Texas Children's Hospital also awarded the program $22,712 in matching funds. Subscribe to the Texas Government InsiderThe Texas Government Insider is a free weekly newsletter. If you are not a subscriber, or if you would like to sign up your friends or co-workers to receive a free copy, click here. Permission to reproduce, reprintThis newsletter may be reproduced, and all articles within may be reproduced and/or reprinted without permission when credit is given to the Texas Government Insider, a publication of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Note to media:Need expert commentary on procurement issues relating to state government, city and county government, K-12 public schools, higher education or healthcare? Our consulting team has more than 300 years of high-level experience in decision-making among these government entities. Give us a call at 512-531-3900 and we'll arrange an interview for you with one of our experts. |
State government buys
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Texas Transportation Forum scheduled April 20-22The Third Annual Texas Transportation Forum is slated for Sunday through Tuesday, April 20-22, at the Hilton in Austin. Keynote speakers for the Monday session are Texas Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Congressman John Mica. Mica is the Republican Leader of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. State Rep. Mike Krusee will be the keynote speaker for the Monday Road Hand Awards Luncheon and Gov. Rick Perry will keynote the Tuesday luncheon. Among the topics of the three-day event will be transportation resources and funding, partnerships, security, high-tech innovation and more. For details, click here. To view the program, click here. DIR announces Accessibility Forum on April 29The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) will host its Accessibility Forum from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at The Commons Center, Big Tex/Large Auditorium, 10110 Burnet Road in Austin. The free conference addresses the accessibility of commonly used business materials such as word processing documents, spreadsheets and presentations. The program will also feature an overview of accessibility, a panel discussion on assistive technologies, best practices and effective strategies regarding certain types of documents and more. For more information, click here. To register, click here. UT, UT System host 15th Annual HUB Vendor FairThe University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas System will host the 15th Annual Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Vendor Fair on Wednesday, May 7, at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. HUBs and small businesses can display their products and distribute information about their services to university procurement personnel and procurement professionals from other state agencies and private institutions. The event is free and open to the public. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day. Business owners who want to participate in the event, click here. For more information, contact Annette Smith at 512-471-2850 or asmith@austin.utexas.edu or Tiffany Dockery at 512-471-2863 or tiffany.dockery@austin.utexas.edu. TCEQ planning Environmental Trade Fair, ConferenceThe Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will host its 2008 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference on Tuesday through Thursday, April 29-May 1, at the Austin Convention Center. Considered one of the best environmental education forums in the country, the conference features 13 educational tracks, 400 exhibits and continuing education credits. The opening day of the conference will feature an informal lunch with the TCEQ commissioners. Tracks will include topics such as air quality, waste management, wastewater permitting, pollution prevention, compliance assistance and enforcement and more. For more information and to view the conference agenda and brochure, click here. To register, click here. Texas Citizen Corps Conference slated June 3-4The fourth annual Texas Citizen Corps Conference, sponsored by the Texas Association of Regional Councils, will be June 3-4 in San Antonio at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel. The conference is open to anyone interested in the Citizen Corps program, including regional councils of governments, local, state, and federal agencies, volunteers, emergency management professionals, first responder and other interested parties. Local elected officials and management level decision-makers will also be in attendance. Sessions will include training, strategic policy discussions, briefings from leaders in the Citizen Corps programs from across the nation, networking and best practices events and an exhibit hall. To register, or for more information, click here. TASSCC technology education conference set April 30The Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) and the Department of Information Resources (DIR) will host the annual Technology Education Conference (TEC) on April 30 at The Commons Center on the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in Austin. This year's conference, "Best Practice Makes Perfect - Now What?" examines best practice techniques and how they relate to information technology regarding project management, managing the mobile workforce, virtualization of information, green technology, reacting to the pandemic flu and managing the E-world of today. Sponsorships are available. For more information, contact TASSCC at info@tasscc.org or (512) 474-1827. DFW NIGP hosts Lone Star Purchasing ConferenceThe DFW Metroplex Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing will host the 2008 Lone Star Regional Purchasing Conference on May 5-7 at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas. This educational conference will begin on Monday, May 5, and will continue through 12 noon Wednesday, May 7. Conference attendees will receive a certificate at the end of the conference stating that they have earned 18 contact hours. For more information and to download a registration form, click here. |
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