Texas Government Insider
Volume 8, Issue 27 - Friday, July 9, 2010
Valley areas preparing for more rain from tropical depression
 
State search, rescue units being deployed to coastal areas already facing flooding
 
Texas Task Force OneStill reeling from the effects of Hurricane Alex just last week, residents of the Rio Grand Valley area now are bracing for another round of heavy rains and flooding from a tropical depression that came ashore Thursday. Gov. Rick Perry already has activated search and rescue units that include Texas Military Forces and Texas Task Force 1 personnel and resources, as seen in photo at left offering assistance during Hurricane Alex.
 
Bud Force, public information officer with the Texas Engineering Extension Service that operates Texas Task Force 1, said three water squads were leaving Laredo this morning, Friday, to a small community south of Laredo to survey and analyze the flooding situation there. He added that two UH-60 helicopters were en route from San Antonio to assist.
 
The Rio Grande River was already high after last week's rain from the hurricane, and residents downstream were preparing to deal with even higher water that already had closed two international bridges and forced numerous evacuations. Some reservoirs along the border between Texas and Mexico were at their highest level in decades.
 
The City of Laredo ordered a mandatory evacuation for people living in the affected flooded areas along the Rio Grande river banks.
 
 
DPS Rangers' Lowe one of only two forensic artists in state
 
Composite drawings, post-mortem art part of her unique law enforcement work
 
DPS Forensic ArtistTexas Ranger Evidential Artist Suzanne Lowe (at right) draws on a host of inspirations for her role as one of two full-time forensic artists working for law enforcement in the state. With interests as divergent as criminal justice and fine art, Lowe wasn't sure how to combine her passions and meld them into a career - until she caught a televised interview in the late 1990s.
 
"I saw an interview on 60 Minutes or 20/20 about a sketch artist at a time when I was looking to go back to school," Lowe said. "I was hitting my 30s and ready to find my career."  
 
After earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Texas State University and completing hundreds of hours of forensic-art and facial-reconstruction training, Lowe sought out work as a forensic artist - someone who develops composite drawings based on witness descriptions and specializes in postmortem art (drawings or facial sculptures based on human remains). The latter is used to assist in putting names to the hundreds of unidentified decedents in Texas.
 
Success Story"This was before any of the TV shows like CSI and Crossing Jordan and Bones," Lowe said. She said those fictional investigations take dramatic license - especially with time frames - but added that the science and methodology portrayed is often accurate.
 
But unlike TV fiction, Lowe produced the sketch (left) from skeletal remains that helped identify the teenager pictured, who had been missing for two years.
 
As an employee of the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Texas Rangers for the last four years, Lowe's requests for service can come from more than 1,100 local, county, state, federal and military agencies. She sketches facial features and develops lifelike facial reconstructions from little more than skeletal remains or a witness' verbal account of a crime to base her interpretation of a victim's or perpetrator's likeness.
  
[more] 
 
Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
 
Melissa Castro KillenMelissa Castro Killen, corporate counsel, Bexar Metropolitan Water District 
 
Career highlights and education: I am corporate counsel for the Bexar Metropolitan Water District, where I directly oversee the Legal, Risk Management, and Purchasing Departments. I have been general counsel and/or outside counsel to various governmental entities, including school districts, cities and counties throughout my career. I earned a B.A. from St. Mary's University and a J.D. from the University of Akron, Ohio.

What I like best about my job is: the opportunity to work with a diverse group of professionals in efficiently delivering one of our state's most important resources: water.  

The best advice I've received for my current job is: "No matter how many contracts you negotiate, how many water rights you acquire, or how many feet of pipe you install, the customer only cares about their clean and abundant water delivered at a fair price."

Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Learn all you can.

If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: at a home improvement store looking for the next Do-It-Yourself home project.  
 
People would be surprised to know that I: worked as a detention officer at the Bexar County Jail.

One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: The Bexar Metropolitan Water District serves four counties: Bexar, Medina, Atascosa and Comal. We have a very diverse portfolio of water rights which include both ground water and surface water from sources such as the Edwards Aquifer, Carrizo Aquifer, Trinity Aquifer, Lake Dunlap, Medina River, Medina Dam and San Antonio River. Our abundant and diverse supply of water enables us to be at the forefront of water planning. In addition, we have joined with many other governmental and quasi-governmental entities in order to be a truly regional partner. In addition, our ability to forecast has allowed us to prioritize infrastructure projects to better serve existing and future customers through the adoption of a yearly Capital Improvements Project (CIP) Budget. In order to support the CIP, we have taken proactive steps in reaching out to the business community through participation in the local Regional Certification Agency (RCA), SWMBE Conferences, and online procurement system (BidNet). 
 
 
 
TEF invests $1.125 million in Frito-Lay North America
Frito-Lay North America (FLNA) has been awarded an investment of $1.125 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund for its proposed company-wide implementation of business management software and other IT system upgrades.
 
PepsiCo, parent company to FLNA, is currently implementing a multi-year business transformation initiative that includes delivery of an enterprise resource planning application. The TEF funding will help the company consolidate its business management software conversion team in Plano to complete the multi-year project. Officials say the investment will create 125 new jobs in North Texas and generate more than $50 million in business infrastructure.
 
Munoz to serve Tech as vice provost for undergraduate education
Juan Sanchez MunozJuan Sanchez Munoz (pictured) is the new vice provost for undergraduate education at Texas Tech University, where he will oversee academic advising and retention and community college and transfer relations. Munoz currently serves as vice president of institutional diversity, equity and community engagement.
 
Munoz has been with Texas Tech since 2004 and in February of last year was appointed vice president of institutional diversity, equity and community engagement. He previously was special assistant to the president for institutional diversity and associate vice provost for faculty affairs. As an associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, he also served as director of the Center for Research in Leadership and Education and Program Coordinator for Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies in the College of Education.
 
Munoz holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a master's from California State University, Los Angeles and his doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles.
 
A&M's Institute for Genomic Medicine awarded $12.25 million
James SacchettiniThe Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has tapped Texas A&M Institute for Genomic Medicine (TIGM) to identify and develop new drug targets for specific viruses, bacterial pathogens and toxins in a bid to discover effective vaccines and therapies. The $12.25 million in award funds will be used to develop pioneering screening procedures for mouse stem cells using state-of-the-art robotic equipment.
 
TIGM researchers will screen more than 3,500 genes to identify those that allow toxins and microbes to injure cells and tissues.
 
Dr. James Sacchettini (pictured), a Texas A&M biochemistry and biophysics professor and internationally-recognized infectious disease researcher, will serve as principal investigator for the project. "This approach is completely novel," he said, adding the methodology has the potential to "advance the state of human resistance to infectious threats...and be amenable to a broad range of applications."
 
The Procurement EDGE
 
Sales tax revenues grow slightly for third consecutive month
Sales tax revenues in Texas in June continued an upward climb, with the $1.61 billion total representing a 2.2 percent increase over the same month last year. It marked the third consecutive month in which sales tax revenues showed an increase.
 
On Monday, the State Comptroller's Office will send out July sales tax allocations of $442.8 million to cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts, up 3.8 percent over July 2009 figures.
 
Texas cities will receive $297.2 million, up 4.5 percent over July of last year. Texas counties will get $27 million in tax payments, up 3.9 percent. Special purpose taxing districts in the state will garner $18.3 million, an increase of 10.6 percent over last July, and 10 local transit systems will get $100.1 million, representing a 0.5 percent increase over the same period last year.  Sales tax revenue in June and local sales tax allocations this month represent May sales. To view the allocations by city, click here. To view the allocations by county, click here. The next tax allocations will be made Friday, Aug. 13.
 
Texas Tech picks Fritz as interim dean of Honors College
Stephen FritzStephen E. Fritz (pictured) is set to become interim dean of the Honors College at Texas Tech University. He will vie as a contender for the permanent post.
 
Fritz has served as president of Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Neb., since 2007. Prior to that charge, he served as president of New England College in Henniker, N.H.
 
Fritz, a member of the Registry for College and University Presidents, earned his bachelor's degree from Murray State University, his master's degree from Southern Illinois University and a doctorate from the University of Kentucky.
 
A&M System appoints associate vice chancellor-commercialization
Brett CornwellBrett Cornwell (pictured) has been appointed associate vice chancellor for commercialization for the Texas A&M University System, where he previously served as director of commercialization services. In his new role, he will direct the Office of Technology Commercialization, the team that commercializes the intellectual property of the A&M System.
 
Cornwell previously worked for NASA, serving at the Mid-Continent Technology Transfer Center (MCTTC) for 10 years as program coordinator and as deputy director for three. Overall, he has more than 18 years of experience in technology transfer and two years experience in sales and marketing management with small companies.
 
Cornwell graduated from Baylor University and holds a master's degree from Texas A&M University.
 
SMU officials select Tsutsui as new Dedman College dean
William Tsutsui William M. Tsutsui (pictured) has been named dean of Southern Methodist University's Dedman College, home to the college's humanities, social sciences and natural and mathematical sciences departments.
 
Tsutsui, a noted historian and author, specializes in the business, environmental and cultural history of 20th Century Japan. He previously served as associate dean for international studies and as a professor of history at the University of Kansas. He also headed the Kansas Consortium for Teaching About Asia in KU's Center for East Asian Studies.
 
Tsutsui graduated from Harvard University before earning master's and doctoral degrees from Princeton University.
 
A&M-Kingsville names Mathis director of King Ranch Institute
Clay MathisDr. Clay P. Mathis (pictured) has been named director and endowed chair of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM), a branch of the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
 
Since 1998, Mathis has taught at New Mexico State University, where for the past three years, he has served as an extension livestock specialist. He has also served as department head for the Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources Department at NMSU. During his tenure, he was honored with the 2005 Extension Award and the 2007 Applied Research Award from the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science.
 
Mathis holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Texas A&M University and a doctoral degree from Kansas State University.
 
UT-Permian Basin to close early on Fridays to conserve energy
In an attempt to conserve energy, officials of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB) will shut down offices early on Fridays during July and August.
 
To make up the time lost by closing campus offices on Friday afternoons, UTPB employees will work nine hours on Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Friday to allow air conditioners and electric lights to be shut off during the hottest time of the day, said Chris Forrest, vice president of business affairs.
 
The time change will be a six-week pilot program that will end on Aug. 13. If the experimental time adjustment reduces energy usage and energy costs, officials may decide to continue shutting down offices on Friday afternoons in future summers, Forrest said.  
 
Trinity appoints chair of business administration department
Richard ButlerRichard Butler (pictured) has been appointed to a two-year term as chair of the Department of Business Administration at Trinity University.
 
Butler has served as a TU faculty member since 1982, when he joined ranks as a professor of economics. He chaired the economics department from 1984 until 1994. He founded a company that oversees dual-credit programs for high school students with a focus on aerospace, technology, healthcare and manufacturing programs and served as its CEO for almost a decade. 
 
In 2001, Butler was awarded the Dr. and Mrs. Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship, TU's highest award for teaching.
 
Palestine OKs $529,838 for library, $316,000 for PREP center
Palestine City Council members recently approved $529,838 for a new building for the Palestine Public Library and a maximum guaranteed price of $316,000 for the Palestine Regional Education Partnership (PREP) Center.
 
The PREP Center is a partnership between the city and the Palestine Independent School District that will offer a variety of programs and classes, including an Early College High School that will be available to selected students of Palestine and Westwood high schools and a branch campus of Texas State Technical College. While bids for the PREP center came in at about $421,443, council members approved a total budget of $316,886 for the project and said they plan to work with contractors to reduce costs to meet the approved budget. The Texas Education Agency awarded a $475,000 grant for the Early College High School Initiative to Trinity Valley Community College, Palestine ISD and Westwood ISD.
 
Base bids for the library, however, came in more than $90,000 below budget. City Manager Dale Brown said officials are considering adding back items previously cut from the library project, but cannot transfer funds from the library project to the PREP Center because their funding came from different sources. The 12,000-square-foot library should be open to the public around Oct. 1.
 
SPI Research
 
Pedernales Electric Cooperative announces board changes

Luis Garcia, general counsel for the Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) Board of Directors, has been appointed acting general manager. PEC's In-House Counsel Aisha Nawaz Hagan has been appointed acting general counsel.  
 
Garcia, who holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a doctor of jurisprudence degree from St. Mary's University School of Law, previously practiced transactional law with a Houston-based firm and served as in-house attorney for a San Antonio-based company.
 
Hagan graduated from Princeton University and the UT School of Law before serving 10 years in private practice in Missouri and Texas. She joined the PEC in February.
 
UNT-Dallas cites new staff lineup as it prepares for fall opening
Sheryl Santos-HatchettJehad YasinThe University of North Texas at Dallas has named seven new faculty members, including two deans, to its ranks.
 
The two deans include Sheryl Santos-Hatchett (top left), who will serve as inaugural dean of the division of Education and Human Services, and Jehad Yasin (top right), who will become the first dean of the divisionShery BoylesNichole Mancone of Urban and Professional Studies. Santos-Hatchett previously served as dean and professor in the College of Education at Texas Tech University and Yasin was interim dean and professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Fort Valley State University.
 
Other new faculty members include: Shery Boyles (middle right) as Lindsay KnightFrank RossAlounda Josephdirector of undergraduate recruitment and admissions; Nichole Mancone (middle left) as registrar; Lindsay Knight (bottom left) as assistant director of first-year experience; Frank Ross (bottm center) as associate provost for student success; and Alounda Joseph (bottom right) as director of graduate recruitment and admissions. When UNT-Dallas opens its doors for the first time in the fall, it will be the city's first public university.
 
The university's first freshmen and sophomores will be the first to use the school's new 103,000-square-foot, $41.8 million building. The UNT System branch campus that opened in January 2000 will be officially recognized on Sept. 1 as the University of North Texas at Dallas.
 
Montgomery County approves $1 million tract for forensic center
Montgomery County officials recently agreed to spend $1 million to buy six acres of property near the county's Criminal Justice Complex in Conroe to be used for a county-operated forensic center.
 
The property includes a 4,300-square-foot building that will allow the center to be in operation within 90 days, the county judge said. The county will issue certificates of obligation to fund the purchase of the property and expects to spend about $600,000 to renovate the existing building on the property. County officials also plan to spend about $700,000 to buy forensic equipment and plan to recover about $700,000 annually by offering forensic services to nearby Brazos, Austin, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Trinity and Walker counties. The new forensic center became necessary after a private forensic center the county had used closed.
 
Jasper ISD reveals architect plans for proposed bond election
Jon WhittemoreTrustees for the Jasper Independent School District recently took their first look at an architect's proposed $59 million facilities plan that will be presented to voters if the board decides to schedule a bond election.
 
Superintendent Jon Whittemore (pictured), however, said the proposed $59 million plan is too costly and district officials plan to find ways to bring down the cost to at least $50 million.
 
Included in the plans are a new $24 million elementary school, $11.5 million to demolish the gym, band hall and homemaking cottage at the junior high school and build a new gym/band hall/choir building on the site of the old gym. Also the current fine arts wing will be renovated and $3.2 million will be used for renovations at Jasper High School. District officials also are considering $9.6 million to build a new 6,500-seat stadium with all-weather turf and track, $7.3 million to build a new field house and multi-purpose practice facility and $1.3 million to renovate an intermediate school to be the administration building and training center for the district.
 
Ingleside sends second $5 million request to Port of Corpus Christi
Ingleside City Council members recently agreed to send a letter reminding Port of Corpus Christi commissioners to respond to a $5 million request the city made in April. The letter requests the port to help pay for infrastructure expenses the city will face when the port redevelops the former Naval Station Ingleside.
 
The naval air station closed in April and was deeded back to the port on May 1. Before leasing or selling the 576 acres of property, port commissioners need to approve funding for the city to build a new wastewater treatment plant and an industrial corridor to support new growth.
 
City officials have received no response from port commissioners since the request was first made, a council member said. He also reminded port officials that the city council has zoning powers that could impact future use of the base property and 433 neighboring acres. The base property now is zoned as single-family residential, he noted.
 
UTHSC-San Antonio wins $1 million for virtual hospital
Ashley LoweThe Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce recently awarded a $1 million grant to The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSC). The grant will be used to develop a virtual hospital emergency room to recreate mock medical scenarios for students studying to be medical professionals, said Ashley Lowe (pictured), director of development for UTHSC.
 
Plans call for construction on the 7,000-square-foot mock medical emergency room in the basement of the existing school of nursing to begin this summer, Lowe said. The simulation center is part of the effort by UTHSC officials to increase nursing student enrollment by 25 percent and provide improved training to all students,
 
The mock emergency room will be equipped with at least 10 robotic mannequins representing a variety of patients ranging from children to an overweight person. The mannequins are able to provide a recorded speech describing their ailments to students while faculty control the scenario and observe students as they attempt to diagnose and treat the ailment or injury, Lowe said.
 
TSTC, Baylor to share $2.3 million for aerospace research
The Texas State Technical College and Baylor University recently received a $2.3 million federal appropriation to conduct aerospace engineering research. About $800,000 of the funding will support the Baylor Space Sciences Consortium to design space satellite hardware.
 
The funding should improve the quality of technical undergraduate and graduate education in the Waco area, said Dr. Truell Hyde, vice provost for Research at Baylor University. Researchers will test carbon fiber composite materials for aircraft and hope to improve capabilities in space satellite hardware analysis and design, Hyde said. Students in the program will receive hands-on experience and training, he added.
 
Did you miss S&L Pipeline
 
Three Rivers ISD mulling bond proposal to build new school
Trustees for Three Rivers Independent School District recently agreed that building a new high school and middle school facility will be the priority project in a November bond election board members are now considering.
 
A recent report to trustees revealed many of the buildings in the district are unsound with leaking roofs, inefficient walls or windows, shifting foundations, access problems, asbestos and inefficient window air conditioning units. Many of the district's facilities also do not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and cannot support wiring and infrastructure for instruction technology. After review, trustees began exploring options to replace facilities and began preliminary planning to build a new high school/middle school campus.
 
The preliminary plan calls for a facility that will accommodate all high school and middle school classrooms, administrative offices, family and consumer science classrooms and labs, science labs and a new band hall. Long-range plans are to build a new elementary school in five to seven years, trustees said. Board members have an Aug. 20 deadline to decide whether to hold a bond election in November.
 
Navasota holds groundbreaking for new $6.8 million city hall
GroundbreakingGroundbreaking ceremonies to kick off the construction of the City of Navasota's new Navasota Municipal Building were held Thursday at the site of the new facility on E. McAlpine. The building was designed to resemble the city hall that was originally constructed in 1903 and demolished in the 1950s. The new building will feature a prominent clock tower, which was a feature of the 1903 building. "What a great project for our City, we are moving into the future while honoring the past, and at the same time increasing our customer service by combining the City Hall operations, Public Works offices and the Police Department under one roof," said Navasota Mayor Bert Miller.
 
Some 60 persons braved the rain to attend the ceremony, including Navasota citizens, representatives of the architectural and construction firms involved in the design and building of the structure and state and local officials. Shown at the groundbreaking are (from left in accompanying photo) Mayor Miller, City Manager Brad Stafford and Council Member Grant Holt.
 
The architectural firm worked to incorporate many facets of the old building into the new one, according to the mayor, studying the colors of the brick and roof and the design of the arched doorways and windows. The 28,000-square-foot building will carry a price tag of $6.8 million. The project will eventually include new parking, demolition of the old police department and city hall and replacement of streets and sidewalks and streetscapes around the area. The total cost of the project is just under $11 million.
 
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Governor's Office awards Henderson $75K for landscaping
 
The Texas Governor's Office has awarded the City of Henderson a $75,000 grant to add flowerbeds and landscaping to the concrete embankments at the crossroads of Rusk County, an area known as the traffic star.
 
The state will handle bidding to beautify the star, said Larry Krantz, Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Tyler District spokesman, since the project concerns TxDOT property.
 
"Basically we're going to be taking out the brick fillings inside the medians and replacing that with vegetation," Krantz said. Funding for the project will be available in August, according to the TxDOT Web site.
 
East Early College High School announces new principal
Tamera BoldenTamera J. Bolden (pictured), dean of students at East Early College High School (EECHS), has been promoted to the role of principal. She replaces Joel Castro, who is leaving to become associate superintendent at Lubbock Independent School District. 
 
Bolden has served as dean of EECHS since 2006, when the school opened, and as a member of Team HISD for 29 years, working as a teacher and instructional coordinator for several schools, including Scarborough and Kashmere.
 
Bolden graduated from Central Michigan University and holds a master's degree from the University of St. Thomas.
 
FEMA scales back grant funds for Henderson civic center
The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) has slashed more than half of a $2.5 million grant to fund a civic center in Henderson, which was planned to house about 1,500 disaster evacuees when needed. Construction began on the building in May 2009 and was slated to house evacuees this hurricane season.
 
City Manager Mike Barrow said the city received about $1 million in funds, which covered only reinforcements for the building. The City of Carthage got part of the money promised to Henderson, according to Barrow, to cover costs on a $7 million civic center project.
 
Wichita Falls studying options for November bond election
Glen BarhamWichita Falls City Council members recently began reviewing a list of options on how to pay to replace or rehabilitate the city's aging infrastructure, including $62 million needed to replace the water distribution system, $20-$35 million to upgrade storm drainage and $12 million for street repairs.
 
In that report, the director of public works noted that the city needs to replace water lines up to 100 years old, rehabilitate the wastewater system and upgrade streets and storm drainage. He also urged council to consider options such as asking voters to approve bonds, increasing water and sewage rates or increasing the tax rate to pay for some of the improvements.
 
Years of delaying maintenance and replacement of infrastructure have left city officials with many difficult decisions regarding how to pay for the necessary services that citizens expect, noted Mayor Glen Barham (pictured). Council members will hold budget meetings in August and public hearings in September to hear feedback from residents regarding their priorities for the proposed infrastructure improvements.
 
State to seek $58.4M in stimulus funds for Ft. Worth rail intersection
Officials of the Texas Transportation Commission and the Regional Transportation Council recently agreed to seek $58.4 million in federal stimulus funds to pay for improving a freight rail intersection in Fort Worth. The T, the Fort Worth transit agency, has agreed to contribute $2.5 million to the $94 million rail project.
 
The freight rail intersection, known as Tower 55, is where the Union Pacific Railroad, the Fort Worth-based BNSF Railroad and Amtrak trains all cross, often resulting in long waits for trains to cross over the tracks. The rail intersection project is a priority because upgrading the intersection could speed shipments of vital goods throughout the state, lower business costs and keep more trucks off state highways, said Bill Meadows of the Texas Transportation Commission.
 
Plans call for adding additional tracks to allow about 40 more trains to use the intersection daily, up from the 100 trains that now cross through the intersection each day, transportation officials said.
 
Wichita County looking at downtown land for new jail
Woody GossomWichita County commissioners recently approved $48,832 for environmental testing of a former downtown auto mall property being considered as a site for a new jail. The county will have 90 days to complete an appraisal and perform environmental tests to ensure no health hazards exist in the ground soil on the property.
 
Priced at $1.3 million, the land is located west of the courthouse and takes up a block in addition to two smaller tracts of adjacent land, said County Judge Woody Gossom (pictured). If the county decides to purchase the property, commissioners will use money from its $6 million permanent fund to pay for the property, Gossom said.
 
Commissioners began considering a new jail after the Texas Commission on Jail Standards found the current jail is overcrowded and needs a new kitchen, infirmary, sally port and locker rooms for jail personnel to meet state requirements. The county is paying about $1 million annually to transport inmates for other counties to house, Gossom said. No estimates are available on the cost for a new 1,000-cell jail he would like to be built, Gossom said. To pay for a new jail, commissioners would need to authorize a bond election.
 
El Paso approves $70 million for $120 million freeway project
Rachel QuintanaEl Paso City Council members recently agreed to spend $70 million to help build up to four new ramps to connect Loop 375 to Interstate 10. The El Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority and the state will provide the remaining $50 million required for the proposed East Side Spaghetti Bowl project.
 
Officials plan to begin construction on the freeway project this year and complete construction in about 18 months, said Council Member Rachel Quintana (pictured). Plans call for a private developer to build the ramps and to be repaid by the state based on the number of vehicles that use the ramp, city officials said. The project is part of the region's $1 billion comprehensive mobility plan calling for improvements on all major highways in the county.
 
Council members have only one more item related to aesthetics for the project to consider before construction can begin on the project, said a spokesperson for the city engineering department.
 
Fish and Wildlife Service to build new visitor center in Anahuac
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently kicked off construction of a new headquarters and visitors' center located near Anahuac.
 
The new 16,100-square-foot building will be located on land donated by Chambers County on FM 563, three miles south of the I-10 freeway, said Tim Cooper, project manager for the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. The new center will allow the Fish and Wildlife Service to host visiting school children as well provide all visitors with information and displays about national wildlife refuges in Anahuac, McFaddin, Texas Point and Moody.
 
The official name of the new center will be the Texas-Chenier Plans Complex National Wildlife Refuge Administration Building and Visitors Center. The center was funded through the federal Recovery Act and will be the largest facility in the southwest region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which operates 548 refuges that contain 97 million acres of lands and water to preserve wildlife.
 
CPS officials appear ready to vote on new chief executive
Charles FosterOfficials with CPS Energy could be voting soon on the entity's new chief executive officer. Although a regularly scheduled meeting is set for July 26, Board Chair Charles Foster (picured) said he would like for the board to meet sooner if possible.
 
The four finalists were interviewed more than six weeks ago. The person chosen will replace Milton Lee, who will retire in September.
 
CPS officials have indicated that the main detail they are trying to work out is the compensation package for the new official. 
 
Boozer to retire as parks and recreation director in Canyon
Lowell Boozer recently retired as director of parks and recreation in Canyon after working 22 years as a city employee. Boozer previously worked as a construction foreman in the parks and recreation department in Amarillo.
 
Canyon city officials expect to begin interviewing candidates to fill the position as director of parks and recreation soon.
 
Houston ISD names Graf to lead transportation services
Nathan GrafTrustees for the Houston Independent School District recently selected Nathan Graf (pictured) as the new Transportation Services General Manager. He will replace Bonnie Russell, who is retiring from that position.
 
A district employee since July 2002, Graf previously served as a transportation senior manager where he managed all transportation support functions, created and monitored internal controls related to state reporting and financial management and oversaw personnel training. Graf has a master's degree from The University of Texas and previously served as a senior manager for a private accounting firm.
 
Krum ISD wins $50,000 grant to improve literacy
The First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative for Texas program of the Barbara Bush Texas Fund for Family Literacy recently awarded a $50,000 grant to the Krum Independent School District to improve reading programs with the help of advanced technology.
 
Plans call for the grant to pay for programs at the Early Education Center to teach parents to encourage their children to appreciate literature, to offer parents English as a second language classes and to use interactive SMART tables and other technology to train parents to help their children read at home, said Tammy Morris, a principal for Krum ISD.
 
 
TxDOT Business Outreach & Program Services hosts webinars
The Texas Department of Transportation's Business Outreach & Program (BOP) Services branch is still conducting its webinars targeting small, minority and women business-owners in the field of construction and professional services in Texas.  Only three webinars remaining for the 2010 fiscal year.  The external online seminars topics range from how to become a pre-qualified bidder on TxDOT contracts to online access of bid lettings and contract plans and much more.  Each session aims to provide valuable information to contractors, suppliers and small businesses on how TxDOT operates with external parties, how to better understand processes and procedures and improve opportunities to bid and obtain contracts with TxDOT. Invited parties include potential contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, DBEs and any other small businesses. Each free webinar is limited and registration slots are on a first-come-first-serve basis.  More information on each webinar can be found at www.txdot.gov. Questions should be forwarded to TxDOT-BOP-Webinars@dot.state.tx.us or call 1.866.480.2518, Option 2 for more information.
 
Newly Elected Officials Workshop to be hosted by AACOG
The Alamo Area Council of Governments will host a one-day workshop from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 29 to address the duties and responsibilities of elected officials. Representatives of AACOG, local attorneys and a local elected official will address the participants. The workshop will be in the Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 700, San Antonio. The workshop will include an introduction to city government, budgeting and financial management, the role of mayor and council members, council procedures and legal issues. For more information, click here.
 
CEVS 2010, 'Re-Imagining the Built Environment' in Austin
Austin Energy and the Clean Energy Incubator announce the fourth annual Clean Energy Venture Summit on September 29-30, 2010. Early stage clean-energy companies will audition their technologies for inclusion in Austin's $10.4M DOE smart-grid/smart-home demonstration project, a product of the Pecan Street Project, the nation's most ambitious city-wide clean-energy laboratory. "The feedback EcoFit Lighting received during the 2009 conference helped us refine our investor pitch, leading to the close of a $2M round of funding," said Cason Coplin, CEO of 2009 CEVS winner Ecofit Lighting, a Kansas-based firm. 
 
National Association of Social Workers, Texas plans annual conference 
The 2010 National Association of Social Workers, Texas Annual Conference is slated for Oct. 8-10 at the Westin Galleria in Houston. Houston Mayor Annise Parker will be the opening plenary speaker and will address "Inspiring Community Action for a Better Quality of Life." Some of the pre-conference sessions planned, for which continuing education hours can be earned, include topics such as suicide prevention and postvention, overview of psychotropic medication for treating mental illness and teaching the next generation of social workers. inspiring community action for a better quality of life. There will also be numerous break-out sessions during the three days that cover everything from motivational interviewing to challenges facing children with incarcerated parents. The closing plenary session will feature Vicki Hansen, LMSW-AP, ACSW addressing "Advancing the Profession: Inspiring Social Workers. The closing plenary will provide attendees with a "State of the Chapter" to bring you up to date with NASW/Texas challenges and accomplishments. For more information on the conference schedules, click here. For registration information, click here.
 
2010 NTEC MedVentures Conference slated for July 21 
The 2010 NTEC MedVentures Conference, hosted by the North Texas Enterprise Center (NTEC) is slated for July 21 at the Embassy Suites - Frisco Conference Center. The annual event is an early stage investment conference and company showcase that focuses on the medical technology sector. That includes medical instruments and devices, diagnostic equipment, medical therapeutic devices, medical monitoring equipment and other health-related products. The program will include an industry panel discussion, venture capital panel discussion and a showcase of eight emerging medical technology companies. Emerging medtech companies seeking capital will network with investors that focus on their industry sector. MedVentures also provides a "trade show" venue for vendors and service providers. For more information on the conference and registration, click here.
 
'Cowboy I.T. Up' theme for August TASSCC conference 
"Cowboy I.T. Up" is the theme for the Texas Association of State Systems for Communication and Computing (TASSCC) 2010 Annual Conference, set for Sunday through Wednesday, Aug. 1-4, at the Westin Park Central Hotel in Dallas. The event, open to public sector employees only, will feature keynote addresses, a variety of breakout sessions and a Tuesday awards luncheon. CPE credit is also offered. Early registration ends July 5.  Among the speakers will be research firm owner Gordon Graham, will address preventing mistakes through a risk management-based training program in his "The Five Concurrent Themes for Success" presentation. Addressing how companies can make decisions and execute on corporate strategies will be Jeff Tobaben, managing partner of a consulting firm. He will address "Where Does Employee Engagement Happen," stressing leveraging human capital through applied behavioral economics. Click here for more information, and click here to register.
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Note to Media
 
Marketplace lucrative for advertising, marketing, communications services
 
Mary Scott NabersBy Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
 
Government buys an abundance of marketing, advertising and communication services. In fact, Texas public entities spend hundreds of millions of dollars for these services every year. Some other states spend even more. Engagements of this type range from full-blown advertising campaigns to narrowly focused constituent outreach projects.
 
Last year, for instance, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality paid $23,776 to a firm that purchased newspaper advertising space for public meeting notices in Houston. Contrast that to an RFP issued on behalf of the Governor's Economic Development and Tourism Office for a travel and tourism marketing campaign with a projected cost of $1.5 million. Firms of all sizes and types can find almost every imaginable type of engagement opportunity.  
 
Most government entities do not have full-time marketing professionals on staff and contracting with outside firms is expected.
 
 

Halff

 
Fredericksburg approves
$60,000 for Web site redesign
Tom MusselmanAfter receiving bids to build a storage facility that were $20,000 more than expected, Fredericksburg City Council members recently approved reallocating $60,000 in Repurposing Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds to pay for improvements to a Web site for the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau.
 
The city rejected all the bids for the storage building, but has already spent $5,000 for fees associated with the storage building, leaving $60,000 to pay for an improved Web site that should attract more visitors to the city, said Mayor Tom Musselman (pictured).
 
Hallsville wins $248,500 federal
grant to replace sewer lift station
The East Texas Council of Governments recently selected Hallsville to receive a $249,500 federal grant to replace a sewer lift station. The city will be required to contribute about $25,000 to the lift station project, which is expected to cost $273,500.
 
The new lift station is needed to serve a new elementary school currently under construction. Construction on the lift station project will begin this month and be completed by October 2010.
 
Barnett resigns as assistant superintendent for Sherman ISD
Bruce Barnett recently resigned as assistant superintendent for business and finance for the Sherman Independent School District. A 13-year employee of Sherman ISD, Barnett accepted a position with the Choctaw Nation and will begin his new job duties on July 19. District officials are advertising to find applicants to replace Barnett, said Superintendent Al Hambrick.
 

Maximus

 
Arlington ISD to raise student
fees to help balance budget
Cindy PowellOfficials of the Arlington Independent School District recently agreed to raise student fees for transfers, GED tests, rental of musical instruments and other student services to raise about $300,000 to help balance the budget.  District officials have projected an $8.4 million budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.
 
The fees will be increased from 20 to 30 percent to reflect the growing cost to the district to provide those student services, said Cindy Powell (pictured), associate superintendent for finance.
 
Amarillo ISD OKs $68,000
for 50 new laptop computers
Trustees for the Amarillo Independent School District recently approved $68,000 to buy 50 new laptop computers for students at River Road High School who are enrolled in career and technical courses.
 
In the past, the district has purchased desktop computers for students to use in class, but portable computing devices are quickly taking over many tasks previously performed on desktop computers, noted Superintendent Randy Owen.
 

Strategic Edge

 
Where are they now?
 
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.
 
Frank Elliott Jr.Frank Elliott, Jr. earned his law degree from The University of Texas at Austin and served as an assistant attorney general of the State of Texas and as a briefing attorney to the Texas Supreme Court while awaiting a teaching position at UT. He was eventually on the teaching staff at the UT School of Law for 19 years, for three years at the Texas Tech University Law School, where he served as dean, and 20 years at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, also serving as dean. He is a U.S. Army veteran and retired from the Army Reserve with the rank of colonel. Today, Elliott is a professor of law at Texas Wesleyan.
 
Mesquite wins approval
for $2 million airport tower
The Mesquite Metro Airport recently received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to build a $2 million air traffic control tower to help planes navigate during landings and take-offs. A federal grant will pay $1.5 million of the cost and the city will pay $500,000 of the cost.
 
Once the tower is completed, the city will pay about $12,000 annually to maintain the equipment and appearance inside the tower, said City Manager Cynthia Godfrey. The FAA will pay for the staff to operate the tower. Godfrey said.
 
Gonzales County to use $80,000
grant to upgrade radios
Glen Sachtleben The Gonzales County Sheriff's Office recently received two grants to upgrade radio communications and to buy new vehicles. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently awarded a grant that will be used to buy 15 new radios for the sheriff's office and the department also received another grant to help buy new vehicles and pay overtime to officers, said Sheriff Glen Sachtleben (pictured).
 
The new radios will allow law enforcement personnel to be on the same frequency as neighboring areas and improve radio communication, he said. The sheriff also plans to use other federal grants to equip each patrol vehicle with digital cameras and computers that will allow officers to more quickly access and process information. A $56,000 Border Star Grant recently approved by the Governor's Office will be used to pay overtime to officers and to buy two new vehicles, Sachtleben said.
 

LeFleur

 
Sealy ISD selects Kana as lone
finalist for superintendent
Scott KanaTrustees for the Sealy Independent School District recently selected Scott Kana (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent.
 
Kana, who has served as interim superintendent for the district for the past three months, replaces Pamela Morris, who resigned from that position earlier this year. Kana has worked for Sealy ISD for seven years. 
 
Longview ISD approves $4 million to renovate high school
Longview Independent School District trustees recently agreed to spend about $4 million remaining from completed bond projects to pay for more renovations to the high school and football stadium.
 
District officials plan to install new lighting at the football stadium, repair the track and replace the roof at the high school. These items were not included in the $266.9 million bond issue approved in May 2008, but became available as several projects included in the bond proposal came in under the estimated cost, said Superintendent James Wilcox.
 
Gann to retire from Trinity
Valley Community College
After 32 years on the job, Charles Gann recently announced his retirement as provost of Trinity Valley Community College, effective at the end of this summer. During his tenure, enrollment at the community college grew from around 500 students to more than 1,500. The college also moved from the west side of Terrell to a location on Interstate 20. College officials have begun a search for a new provost.
 
Smithville approves $577,000 
to improve municipal airport
Tex MiddlebrookSmithville City Council members recently approved $577,000 in improvements to the Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport.
 
A partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, the airport project includes resurfacing the asphalt runway and taxiway. The city will pay up to 10 percent of the costs over a two-year period, said City Manager Tex Middlebrook (pictured).
 

HDI Solutions

 
Trinity ISD trustees schedule superintendent interviews
Trinity Independent School District trustees have scheduled interviews with six candidates vying for the role of superintendent. The finalist will replace interim Jacob Sherman, who took over for Dr. Bobby Rice when Rice accepted an administrative position at Gilmer ISD.
 
Interviews are slated to take place July 12, 13 and 14. A vote to name the lone finalist has been set for Aug. 20, though an official start date has not been determined. Sherman said he hopes to have everything in place, including a 2010-2011 budget, by the time a permanent replacement takes over.
 
Cook is new deputy commander
for maintenance operations
Kresten CookKresten Cook (pictured) recently won appointment as Deputy to the Commander for Maintenance Operations at the Corpus Christi Army Depot.
 
Cook, who formerly served as director of engineering services at the Army Depot, will oversee helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul operations in coordination with the Department of Defense, major commands, program managers and customers. He began his career at the Corpus Christi Army Depot in 1983 as an industrial engineer. 
 
Mesquite wins approval
for $2 million airport tower
The Mesquite Metro Airport recently received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to build a $2 million air traffic control tower to help planes navigate during landings and take-offs. A federal grant will pay $1.5 million of the cost and the city will pay $500,000 of the cost.
 
Once the tower is completed, the city will pay about $12,000 annually to maintain the equipment and appearance inside the tower, said City Manager Cynthia Godfrey. The FAA will pay for the staff to operate the tower. Godfrey said.
 

Save the date

 
Taylor ISD superintendent announces upcoming retirement

Bruce ScottTaylor Independent School District Superintendent Bruce Scott (pictured) has retired from the post he has served in for five years. Scott will teach educational leadership in his new role as a faculty member at Abilene Christian University.
 
Taylor ISD trustees have appointed former assistant superintendent Barbara Dale to serve as interim superintendent. The board is in the process of choosing a search firm to select a permanent replacement for Dale.
 

SPI on Twitter

 
Bastrop ISD picks Pollard as assistant superintendent

Trustees for the Bastrop Independent School District recently named Jane Pollard as the new assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She replaced Betty Richardson, who retired from that position on July 1.
 
Pollard previously worked as the director of secondary assessment and instruction for Little Elm ISD and as a teacher and administrator for Aubrey ISD. She has a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University and a master's degree from Texas Woman's University.
 
Recent Reports
Texas Government Insider Archives
 
Volume 1-8 Archives -1/8/04 - 7/2/10
 
El Paso Housing Authority garners funds for improvements 
The El Paso Housing Authority has been appropriated $10.3 million for housing projects this year - about $80 million of which will be geared toward a backlog of needed repairs to more than 6,000 units.
 
The agency reported receiving approximately $10 million in capital improvement money every year for the last five years and has more than $12 million in federal stimulus dollars to improve housing.  
 
SPI seeking additional outside consultants 
SPI is seeking additional consultants who have experience in county government in Texas.
 
Currently, there is a need for procurement consultants who are retired or former county elected officials in the DFW, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso areas.
 
If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Ashley Nauert at anauert@spartnerships.com
 
 
McKinney agrees to hire search
firm to find new city manager
McKinney City Council members recently interviewed four search firms to help find a new city manager to replace former City Manager Frank Ragan, who resigned in June.
 
Council members, however, did not select a search firm and expect the process of finding a new city manager to take a minimum of three to six months. Council members also discussed qualifications they expect in a city manager, including the experience level and political philosophy of the candidates. Some council members also suggested asking candidates to take a personality profile. Council members appointed Rick Chaffin, the deputy city manager, as the interim city manager until a new city manager is selected.
 

HID

 
Governor's appointments
Governor Rick Perry has announced the following appointments:
  • Brenda Pejovich, University of Texas System Board of Regents
  • Lee Gabriel of Sanger, justice of the Second Court of Appeals
Austin ISD selects Fryer
as new chief operations officer
Lawrence FryerOfficials of the Austin Independent School District recently selected Lawrence W. Fryer Jr. (pictured) as the new chief operations officer for the district.
 
Fryer previously served as the chief operating officer for Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland and as a senior managing consultant for a high tech firm. He also served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. Fryer has a bachelor's degree from Prairie View A&M University and a master's degree from the National Defense Academy. He also was a fellow in the Broad Superintendents Academy, a training program designed to prepare senior executives from businesses to lead public school systems.
 

Job Board

 
Reagan VFD wins $250,000 federal grant for new equipment
The Federal Emergency Management Agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently awarded grants totaling a little more than $250,000 to pay for personal protective equipment and to buy a new water/vacuum tanker.
 
A portion of one of the grants will be used to pay for training volunteers as firefighters and first responders, said Assistant Chief Keith Kuzniarek. Plans call for the department to buy a water master with a 3,500-gallon vacuum tanker and a 500-gallon-per-minute fire pump that can load water from sources such as pools, creeks, ditches, rivers and lakes. The tank also can be sanitized and used for clean drinking water if needed, he said.
 
Glen Rose ISD unveils new
design for 2,000-seat arena
Wayne RotanTrustees for the Glen Rose Independent School District recently unveiled a new design for the interior and exterior of a proposed 2,000-seat, $16.9 million arena. Board members also decided to use a construction manager-at-risk method to build the new arena and other projects included in the almost $20 million bond election approved by voters in May.
 
Other projects in the bond proposal are to renovate the existing gymnasium into an expanded band hall, expand the agriculture barn and upgrade technology throughout the district, Superintendent Wayne Rotan (pictured) said. District officials plan to hire a construction manager in July, begin construction in December and complete the arena by May 2012, Rotan said.
 
Dallas mayor nominates
Rawlings to head park board
Mike Rawlings, a former chief executive of a pizza chain and a manager partner of a private equity firm, has been nominated by the mayor of Dallas to become the new president of the city's Park and Recreation Board. 
 
Because the city has less revenue to operate the park system, Rawlings said he hopes to bring more private funding into the system and to encourage more groups to increase their involvement in day-to-day operations at recreation centers. He also plans to urge more corporations, foundations, nonprofit organizations and private philanthropists to help pay for operations of the park system. Council members are expected to vote on Rawlings' nomination in August.
 
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O'Gorman to retire as head of Brazoria Co. Health Department

Leo O'GormanAfter 27 years on the job, Dr. Leo O'Gorman (pictured) recently announced plans to retire as director of the Brazoria County Health Authority. Dr. O'Gorman was a general practitioner and a radiologist prior to his employment with Brazoria County. 
 
 
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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