Trend-setting 'ReBuild Houston' program garners attention
Pay-as-you-go plan could well become model for governments nationwide
 | This concrete panel replacement project is one of many in Houston that are part of the pay-as-you-go ReBuild Houston program. (Photo courtesy of City of Houston/ReBuild Houston) |
Here's a novel idea for government - don't approve a project you can't pay for. It's served the city of Houston well over the last couple of years in its pay-as-you-go ReBuild Houston program. Like many other cities nationwide, Houston is experiencing major growth. And, with that growth, the city's street and drainage repair and improvement needs are growing exponentially.
With no surplus money in its budget earmarked for much-needed street and drainage projects and the city watching big dollars fly out of its coffers repaying interest  on bond debt, the city turned to its citizens in 2010 to approve what is now known as the ReBuild Houston program.
Champion of what was originally called the Renew Houston initiative was Councilman Stephen Costello (pictured). Costello pushed hard for securing dedicated funding for drainage and street projects across the city. His goal was to create a pay-as-you-go program to improve the city's street and drainage infrastructure without incurring debt.
And, it's working.
The "lockbox" funds for these projects have reduced the city's debt by more than $130 million. What makes the program a win-win, writes Costello in his blog, is that it not only has reduced debt, but it also has resulted in an additional $42 million for capital projects through last year, with another $33 million expected this year. The program also contributes more than $100 million a year to drainage improvements.
"It's been a very successful program so far," said Alvin Wright, public information officer for the City of Houston's Public Works Department. "People, for the most part, are embracing it."
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Abbott announces leadership team in advance of taking office
Governor-elect surrounds himself with experienced state government veterans
 Surrounded by a handful of well-known faces that have paid their dues in state government, Gov.-elect Greg Abbott this week announced key personnel he has chosen to be his lieutenants in the Governor's Office.
Abbott spoke briefly at a press conference about those he had chosen for his leadership team and said they have the "proven skills and deep commitment" to help him follow through on his campaign promises and improve the state.
Abbott had previously announced his choice for Texas Secretary of State - Cameron  County Judge Carlos Cascos (left). He also previously introduced Daniel Hodge (right) as his chief of staff. Hodge currently serves Abbott at the Attorney General's Office as his First Assistant Attorney General.
Two other well-known faces of state government - Julia Rathgeber and Robert Allen - will share duties as deputy chiefs of staff. Rathgeber is the current commissioner for the Texas Department of Insurance and is a former deputy chief of staff to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Allen is currently deputy chief of staff for Abbott at the Office of the Attorney General and has served in that capacity since 2003.
A list of the remainder of Abbott's leadership team and brief biographical information about each is available here.
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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars  Ken Kesselus, mayor, city of Bastrop Career highlights and education: Ken Kesselus, a sixth generation Texan, grew up in Bastrop, graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1969 with a BA in government and history and from the Episcopal Seminary (Austin) in 1972. He is married to Toni (45 years) and has two daughters and two grandchildren. He is Commodore of the Bastrop Yacht Club and the American National Expectorator of the International Society of Bridge Spitters. As a priest, active in Texas 34 years, Ken began a new congregation in Pearland, helping raise it to self-supporting status before returning to his native home as Rector of Calvary Church. After nearly 20 years there, he accepted a call to his last assignment at St. Paul's, Waco. During that time Ken wrote Granite on Fire, a biography of Presiding Bishop John E. Hines, and served in many volunteer capacities, including 18 years as chair of the council's Dispatch of Business Committee, membership on both the Texas Executive Board and Standing Committee, as a four-time deputy to the National General Convention and as a six-year member of the national church's leadership team, the Executive Council. He now lives in Bastrop, occasionally assists the local priest, and each year writes three or four sermons for the Episcopal Church's Web site. He is in the tenth year of his "second career" as an employee support leader at Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative. After serving on the Bastrop City Council for five years, he was elected mayor this past May. Ken spends as much time as possible writing, especially history, his passion. He has produced a number of booklets about Bastrop institutions, a three-volume history of early Bastrop County and, besides the Hines biography, wrote two others - about early Texan leader Edward Burleson and LBJ mentor Alvin J. Wirtz. For the past 10 years he has written a periodic column in the local newspaper entitled "Bastrop According to Ken. "
What I like best about my job is: Being able to make a difference, helping others and promoting systemic change in our community that will help in our transition from being a small town to becoming a vibrant ex-urban city.
The best advice I've received for my current job is: Figure out what I can do best and don't try to do everything I am asked to do, because that would be impossible to accomplish (predecessor Mayor Terry Orr).
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: After only three months in office, I would not venture to give such advice.
If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: researching history or finding out "what's up" at the local coffee shop.
People would be surprised to know that I: got my thirst for public service when I worked as a page in the Texas Senate when I was 13 years of age.
One thing I wish more people knew about my city: We are here to serve the public and to do so we need lots of community support and input into city operations.
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Bush announces reorganization structure for General Land Office
Texas General Land Office Commissioner-elect George P. Bush has announced his plans for a major reorganization of the structure of the Texas General Land Office (GLO) when he assumes the commissioner role in January 2015. Bush said the consolidation of divisions will increase efficiencies and reduce administrative redundancies.
In making the announcement, Bush note that the functions of the GLO "require the highest level of performance and this reorganization will streamline our processing and increase the GLO's performance on behalf of the people of Texas."
Chief among the reorganization changes is creation of a new Permanent School Fund (PSF) Income Division by streamlining core functions related to PSF and reducing the director roles from three to one. Rene D. Truan has been named director of the division which now ill include the Energy Resources, Asset Management and Asset Inspection divisions. Read the press release.
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TAMU-San Antonio picks new interim president from California
 The vice president for administration and chief financial officer of California State University Fresno will take over as interim president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio on Jan. 12, 2015. Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson (pictured) is a San Antonio native. While at Cal State Fresno, she is responsible for financial services, facilities and capital management, human resources, technology services, University Police and auxiliary services. As lone finalist, Teniente-Matson's candidacy will be voted on by the board at its February 2015 meeting.
Teniente-Matson has served in her current position at Fresno State since 2004. Prior to that, she held a variety of administrative positions at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, culminating in her role as vice chancellor of administrative services.
The new interim president hold a bachelor's degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She earned her doctorate from Fresno State.
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GLO Commissioner-elect picks chief of staff, three other staffers
 Texas General Land Office (GLO) Commissioner-elect George P. Bush has announced the addition of key staff members who will come on board following his taking office in January 2015.
Named as deputy commissioner and chief of staff will be Trey Newton. Newton is a longtime consultant with 10 years of experience in state government. He previously ran his own consulting firm and was senior vice president with a national corporate political polling firm. In state government, he is a former chief clerk for the Texas House Energy and Resources Committee, chief of staff to the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission and senior advisor to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Newton is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. Bush has chosen to keep 10-year veteran GLO Chief Clerk Larry L. Laine (top) in that position, to rely on   his more than a decade of experience in the agency. Laine is a 22-year veteran state employee as well. Before beginning working for the GLO in 2003, Laine was legislative director for the State Comptroller's Office and also served as a staff member in the Texas Legislature and was also a private-sector contractor.
Named general counsel for the GLO is Anne Idsal (bottom left). Idsal is an experienced Texas attorney who most recently served as general counsel to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. She also previously served that agency as special counsel and executive assistant to the chairman. Idsal is also a former legislative advisor to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and was an intern for the Northern District Court of Texas and Texas Supreme Court. She is a graduate of Baylor Law School. In her new charge at GLO, Idsal will lead a reorganized team of division directors.
An addition to the General Counsel's Office recently announced by Bush is former State Rep. Aaron Pena, Jr. (bottom right). Pena, an experienced trial lawyer, will serve as director of litigation. Pena served five terms in the Texas House and was chair of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. He has been a practicing attorney for 26 years.
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Wyoming ag department director named TDA deputy commissioner
 The director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture is about to pull up stakes and head to Austin. Commissioner Jason Fearneyhough (pictured) has agreed to take the second-in-command job at the Texas Department of Agriculture when Texas Commissioner-elect Sid Miller takes office in January 2015. Fearneyhough has held the top job in Wyoming for more than five years.
Fearneyhough has a long history with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, having joined the agency in 1996 as a technical services inspector. He later served as a livestock and commodities marketing specialist. His past career history includes working for the Wyoming Business Council, owning his own consulting firm and serving as deputy director of the Department of Agriculture. He was appointed director in 2009. Fearneyhough holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from the University of Wyoming.
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TWDB providing more than $63M for water-related projects The Texas Water Development Board this week approved financial assistance totaling $63,053,374, more than $26.1 million of which was designated for rural area water projects. The projects and the amounts allocated include: - City of Euless - $2,755,300f or a reclaimed water system expansion;
- Greater Texoma Utility Authority - $3.56 million for wastewater system improvements;
- Port Mansfield Public Utility District in Willacy County - $600,000 for a groundwater storage system;
- North Alamo Water Supply Corporation in Hidalgo County - $1.568 million for a wastewater collection and treatment system;
- Upper Leon River Municipal Water District (Comanche, Coryell, Eastland, Erath, Hamilton and Lampasas counties) - $14,105,766 for construction of a water treatment plant;
- San Jacinto River Authority (Harris and Montgomery counties) - $29 million for canal system rehabilitation;
- Orangefield Water Supply Corporation in Orange County - $1.565 for a wastewater collection system;
- City of Johnson City - $895,000 for wastewater treatment plant improvements and reuse project;
- Bandera River Ranch Water Supply Corporation in Bandera County - $450,000 for water system improvements;
- City of Seagraves - $3.375 million for water and wastewater system improvements; and
- Upper Leon River Municipal Water District (Comanche, Coryell, Eastland, Erath, Hamilton and Lampasas counties) - $5,179,308 for a new groundwater well field.
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Patrick announces three additions to his lieutenant governor team
Lieutenant Gov.-elect Dan Patrick recently announced three additional members of his team. He reappointed Karina Davis to serve as Senate Parliamentarian, chose Marian Wallace as his education policy advisor and retained Vickie Miles as the receptionist for the office of lieutenant governor.
A 20-year employee of the Texas Senate, Davis has served as parliamentarian since 2004. Miles has been the receptionist in the lieutenant governor's office for eight years and agreed to remain in that post, Patrick said.
Wallace has worked as a legislative aide and policy adviser in education to Patrick since 2007. She also served as director of the Senate Education Committee since 2012.
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Executive Women in Texas Government honors Susan Durso
 The Executive Women in Texas Government (EWTG) recently named Susan K. Durso (pictured) as the 2014 Woman of the Year. The award recognizes a woman in state government who made a difference in EWTG, her professional and community as well as offered support for other women.
Durso currently is manager of contracts administration for the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, but also has served as a general counsel for three state agencies. She holds three college degrees and is also active in organizations such as the Capital Area Food Bank and Dress for Success.
Serving as president of EWTG in 2008 and as membership director in 2012, Durso also acts as a presenter and moderator at annual conferences in addition to conducting training to help new board members fulfill their service.
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Paxton names key leadership staff for attorney general office
Bernard McNamee II has been chosen by Attorney General-elect Ken Paxton as the attorney general-elect's chief of staff. McNamee has been serving as counsel and senior domestic policy advisor to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. He also has worked in the offices of three Virginia attorneys general.
Other staff named by Paxton to join him following his taking office in January 2015 are: - Scott Keller - solicitor general. A former private sector attorney who previously clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.
- Chip Roy - first assistant attorney general. Roy is a former political strategist for Cruz.
- Jim Davis - deputy attorney general for civil litigation. Davis leads regulatory and administrative litigation for a private law firm.
- Missy Minter Cary - deputy attorney general for administration. Cary is general counsel at the Office of the Attorney General and former chief of the open records division.
- Brantley Starr - deputy attorney general for legal counsel. Starr is staff attorney for Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman.
- Roddy White - deputy chief of staff. White currently serves Paxton as his Senate office chief of staff.
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DCCCD trustees approve two for vice chancellor positions
  Two new vice chancellor positions have been approved by the board of trustees of the Dallas County Community College District. Dr. Fernando Figueroa (left) is the new vice chancellor of educational policy and Mark Hays (right) has been chosen as vice chancellor of workforce and economic development. The two will begin their new jobs no later than Feb. 1, 2015.
Figueroa is the current provost and vice president of instruction at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi and Hays is director of workforce and economic development for the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Before he became provost and vice president for instruction and student services at Del Mar, Figueroa was the college's provost and vice president of instruction. He also served as dean of university studies at Tyler Junior College. Figueroa has taught at a number of community colleges and universities, including Morton College, River Parishes Community College, Baton Rouge Community College, the University of New Orleans, Loyola University and Louisiana State University. Figueroa holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University and his master's degree and Ph.D. from Louisiana State University.
Hays was previously resource development coordinator for area economic development with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce; systems operations administrator for the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development in Tulsa; financial analyst for the City of Tulsa in budget and planning; and adjunct instructor at Tulsa Community College. Hays holds a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University and a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma.
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TxDMV now offering temporary permits online
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) officials recently eliminated the need for motorists to travel to the county tax office or DMV regional service center to obtain a temporary permit for their private or commercial vehicles.
TxDMV now offers temporary permits online for vehicle owners with a computer, a tablet or smart phone to select, pay for and self-issue those temporary permits 24 hours a day, said Whitney Brewster, executive director.
The new online service is being offered to provide customers easier access to TxDMV services and to save time, Brewster said. More information on obtaining a temporary permit for vehicles is available here.
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State sales tax receipts continuing upward trend at $2.66 billion
 Fueled by gains in the oil and gas-related industry and retail trade and restaurant tax collections, Texas' sales tax revenue in November continued the state's record of monthly increases in 2014. State Comptroller Susan Combs this week announced that state sales tax revenue in November was $2.66 billion, an increase of 10.7 percent over figures for November of last year. The sales tax figures represent October sales reported by monthly tax filers.
As a result, cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts will share $645.9 million in December tax allocations, up 11.4 percent over December 2013. Texas cities will share December sales tax allocations totaling $417.3 million, up 10.7 percent from December 2013. Counties in the state will share $42.6 million, up 11.5 percent. Allocations to transit systems for December total $147 million, an increase of 11.9 percent over the same month last year and special purpose taxing districts will share $39 million, representing an 18.1 percent increase over last December. The allocations may be viewed by cities or by counties.
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Bexar Co. gives thumbs up to $101.5M upgrades to AT&T Center
Bexar County commissioners recently granted approval to Spurs Sports and Entertainment to begin work on improvements and renovations to AT&T Center expected to cost about $101.5 million. Construction on the county-owned arena will include spectator areas on every level of the 12-year-old facility. Plans call for improving seating and entrances and the Fan Shop in addition to expanding concourses in the charter level and updating suite areas. Several technology updates, such as installing a new high-definition scoreboard and wraparound LED board on three stairwell towers, also are planned.
Bexar County officials agreed to contribute $85 million from visitor tax revenue to help pay for the improvements, while the Spurs organization will pay $16.5 million of the cost of the renovations to the facility.
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Parkland hospital board seeks to expand with four new members
The board of managers of Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas recently agreed to request the Texas Legislature to expand the current seven-member board to a total of 11 board members to manage the hospital. The board expansion is needed because the hospital will move into a new, larger facility in 2015, which will create even more time-consuming work and responsibility for board members, noted Debbie Branson, chair of the board.
Texas legislators must approve the request before the Dallas County Commissioners Court can appoint the four new members. The plan calls for new members to serve three-year terms rather than two-year terms as are currently served. Five commissioners would continue to each appoint one representative with the remaining six board members to be selected at-large and approved by a majority of commissioners. Two board members now are selected as at-large board members.
A Baltimore-based consulting firm recommended the board expansion in a report to board members last year after federal and state regulators found widespread patient-safety problems at the hospital after several failed inspections in 2011. The report also urged improved training for new board members to improve oversight over hospital operations.
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Hale County OK's plan to restructure Plainview-Hale County Airport
 Hale County commissioners recently agreed to hire a Bastrop-based company to appraise privately owned structures at the Plainview-Hale County Airport. The appraisals are part of an effort to transfer the hangars and other structures at the airport from private to public ownership. Plainview City Council members must also approve the agreement before the action is finalized, noted County Judge Bill Coleman (pictured).
While the city and county own the airport property, the hangars and other structures were built by and owned by private individuals or companies. Transferring those structures to public ownership will help the airport qualify for federal grants for maintenance and expansion needed to maintain the airport as a first-class facility, Coleman said. The airport currently does not qualify for grants because most of the structures are privately owned, he added.
The Aviation Division of the Texas Department of Transportation requires an appraisal of airport structures by a qualified third party to set the value of any property to be transferred to public ownership, Coleman said. City and county officials have agreed to each pay half of the estimated $39,050 cost of the appraisal.
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Nueces County names Bowers to Corpus Christi Port Commission
Nueces County commissioners recently appointed Richard Bowers for his second stint on the board of the Corpus Christi Port Commission.
Bowers, who served as a port commissioner from 1990 to 1998, replaces Richard M. Borchard, who has served on the commission since 2009 and did not seek reappointment. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Bowers worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency and the American Embassy in Singapore before joining Benilite Corp. He also was president of a chemical company and began his own company, Texas American Minerals.
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Tyler hires consultants to help develop hotel/conference center
 Tyler City council members recently approved contracts with two companies to help with a public-private partnership to develop a proposed hotel and conference center with 26,000 square feet of meeting space on the south side of the city.
GT Development, LLC agreed to represent the city in negotiations with developers of the hotel/convention center project by providing oversight of the pre-development and the construction phase of the project, noted Mayor Martin Heines (pictured). The company also will work with the city to review the design, financing and selection of an operator of the hotel.
In the second contract, Champ Hospitality representatives agreed to find private equity financing to develop the hotel, which is expected to provide up to 250 rooms. A final design for the project, however, has not been approved.
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Fredericksburg ISD moving forward with bond issue in May 2015
Trustees for Fredericksburg Independent School District recently got their first look at preliminary design plans for a new high school and primary school to be included in a possible May 2015 bond election.
Discussion centered on a proposed design featuring the main office of Fredericksburg High School to be located on the exterior of the building to enhance safety and security. The new high school also would replace portables with permanent buildings if the bond proposal is approved. Plans also include adding a first grade wing at Fredericksburg Primary School and converting a gymnasium at the primary school into a dining facility and adding a "play gym" on the playground. Board members are expected to decide early next year whether to schedule a bond election in May.
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Dallas advances plan to build new parking garage at Love Field
Lack of parking over the recent Thanksgiving holidays prompted Dallas city officials to move forward earlier than planned for a new parking garage at Love Field to be completed by late 2017.
A city council committee gave preliminary approval of a plan to build a new garage with 4,000 new parking spaces to open by late 2017 and accommodate passenger demand. Airport officials previously planned to wait until 2019 or 2020 to expand parking at the airport. No cost estimate for the new parking garage is available as airport officials are still in the process of deciding the scope of the project and issues such as the feasibility of pairing the parking garage with a business hotel.
Once completed, the new parking facility would increase the number of parking spaces at Love Field from about 9,000 spaces in public garages and privately-operated lots to about 13,000 parking spaces to meet growing demand since the Wright Amendment lifted previous flight restrictions at the airport.
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Raymondville rejects bids for $1.2 million sports park project
 Raymondville city commissioners recently rejected all bids for the first phase of a proposed sports complex. Bids for the project came in $100,000 over the $230,000 budgeted for the first phase of the $1.2 million project to be completed in phases, said City Manager Eleazar Garcia (pictured). The plans included the addition of a 650,000-square-foot concession stand, restroom renovations and paving 4,000 square feet of the foundation of the bleachers.
An engineering firm contracting with the city urged rejection of the bids, which ranged from $338,000 to $384,000. City officials, who had projected completing the first phase of the project in April, are considering hiring subcontractors for the project to help reduce costs, Garcia said.
City officials also plan to seek bids in about a month for the second phase of the sports park complex. This phase includes construction of a 6,000-square-foot pavilion, a 20,000-square-foot skateboard park and a 1,740-foot hiking trail. The schedule calls for the second phase of the sports park project to be completed in June.
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New Braunfels delays decision on design of new recreation center
New Braunfels City Council members recently agreed to delay a decision on the design of a new community recreation center and agreed to hold further discussions with project partners about a potential lap pool.
The decision followed a report that doubling the number of basketball courts and installing a separate lap pool at the recreation center could increase the cost of the proposed facility by about $6 million.
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Wichita Falls ISD to hire architects to help design center
Wichita Falls Independent School District officials recently agreed to hire two architectural companies to assist in designing a career and technical center.
District officials are considering asking voters to approve a bond issue next year to pay for the new center in spite of a defeat last year of a bond proposition that sought funding for the same facility.
To remain competitive with other school districts and follow recommendations by the Texas Education Agency, the district needs to help train students ready to join the workforce, said Cindy Tatum, chief financial officer for the district. District officials are hoping that presenting a specific plan for the center to voters will help win support for a bond election.
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Independent accreditation awarded to Texas A&M-San Antonio
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has announced that Texas A&M University-San Antonio has been accredited separately from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Accreditation is retroactive to Jan. 1. The university, which became a stand-alone university as part of the Texas A&M University System, will now seek SACSCOC approval, where necessary, to add to and diversify its degree programs and course offerings, including "downward expansion." The goal is to develop A&M-SA into a full four-year university, and the addition of doctoral degrees.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio is one of the fastest growing universities in the state and offers baccalaureate and master's degrees in a variety of in-demand fields.
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Donation of 80 acres will lead to Fort Worth Tarleton campus
A new campus of Tarleton State University in Fort Worth is in the works following a gift of 80 acres from the Walton Group to house the campus. The campus of the four-year college is part of the Texas A&M University System.
The new campus will "increase the diversity of options for our citizens," said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. She said it provides a perfect opportunity for students who attend community college and then want to go on to a four-year campus. The new campus is expected to provide classes for 4,000 to 5,000 students. The Walton Group and its partners hope to secure $55 million in state funds for the school's Fort Worth campus at Old Grandbury Road.
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Wilkins new associate vice chancellor, foundation director
 Dr. Pyeper Wilkins (pictured) has been approved by the board of trustees of the Dallas County Community College District as associate vice chancellor for advancement and executive director of the DCCCD Foundation.
Wilkins has worked for DCCCD and Collin College, and prior to her appointment was associate vice president for planning, research and institutional effectiveness at El Centro College. In her dual role, Wilkins will provide strategic leadership for the creation and execution of a development plan that supports the strategic initiatives of the district. Wilkins will work closely with DCCCD's chancellor and members of the Foundation Board as well as the presidents of the seven colleges in DCCCD's system and devise strategies to achieve outcomes in planning, capacity building, donor development, direct fundraising and board development.
Wilkins has served as an administrator at El Centro College for more than eight years, and was executive dean at the Bill J. Priest Institute of Economic Development as well as the resource and community development department. She worked for Collin County Community College as director of workforce and economic development, grant coordinator and student development coordinator for CCCCD's College Center at Rockwall. She also taught at Eastfield and Cedar Valley colleges. Wilkins holds a bachelor's degree from West Texas State University, a master's degree from Amberton University and expects to earn her doctorate from Capella University this month.
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Capital area planning board approves $605M in transit projects
The policy board of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) recently approved $605 million in regional transportation projects that includes a commuter rail line from Elgin to Austin.
The recommendation also includes several new MetroRapid Bus routes and roadway projects in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. These projects most likely will be paid for with $605 million in remaining federal and state funding.
The Technical Advisory Committee members studied modeling and graphics to help determine which projects to include in the CAMPO 2040 Plan, noted Rachel Clampffer, vice chair of the committee.
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Arlington moving forward with $43 million mixed-use development
Arlington city officials recently agreed to begin construction in early summer on a $43 million, five-story, mixed-use development that will replace the downtown central public library.
The public-private partnership calls for the developers to build 240 apartments, a parking garage and 40,000 square feet at street level property for shops, offices and restaurants near city hall. The city will retain ownership of the land and lease it back to the developers. City officials expect the new downtown mixed-used development will be completed in 2017. Revenue for leasing the land and the parking garage will be used to pay a portion of a new, larger library scheduled to be open north of city hall in 2017.
Project developers, Integral Development of Atlanta, Georgia, and Catalyst Development of Dallas, are expected to request $6.8 million in funding from the downtown tax increment reinvestment zone to pay for demolition of the 40-year-old central library and to build the 607-space parking garage, which will be leased to the developer for $18 per space per month. Demolition of the library could occur as early as February 2015 with construction of the mixed-use development to begin this summer and be completed in about 22 months.
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Corpus Christi to kick off $3 million marina upgrade in January
 Corpus Christi city officials recently announced plans to begin construction in January 2015 of a $3.3 million project to replace and expand Pier R of the downtown marina on the city's waterfront.
Marina employees began demolishing "R Pier," a wooden structure built more than 30 years ago, about three months ago and construction on the new pier should begin in January 2015, said Peter Davidson (pictured), the marina superintendent. The project calls for adding at least 118 new boat slips, but could expand to as many as 146 slips, he said. The project to replace wooden beams on the pier with concrete components will provide a life expectancy of about 100 years, Davidson said.
A $2.6 million loan from the Ed Rachel Foundation and two grants from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are funding the expansion of the marina. The city plans to repay the loan using funding from marina revenue over a 15-year time period.
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Collin County cancels Arts Center of North Texas project The Collin County judge recently signed an order dissolving the proposed Arts Center of North Texas. Backers of the project agreed to return $2.3 million in donations in $750,000 payments to each of the three member cities - Plano, Allen and Frisco.
First proposed in 2002, the arts center project was to feature a 2,100-seat arts hall on 124 acres of land donated to the project, which faced dwindling support as the recession made funding more difficult to secure and support in some cities wavered regarding the viability of arts center project. |
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Network at largest P3 event in country Feb. 23-25 in Dallas The Public-Private Partnership Conference & Expo (P3C) is the leading annual event for the United States' public-private partnership market and attracts more than 800 government and industry development professionals from around the country. Project owners, industry executives and key decision-makers will gather for three days of in-depth public-private partnership learning, business development and networking opportunities. Next year's slate of more than 100 speakers will address the critical principles behind successful public-private partnerships. The 2015 program serves as a guide through the current trends, challenges and opportunities in the United States' P3 market for a variety of asset classes including social infrastructure, transportation, education, hospitality, mixed-use real estate development, economic development and more. The conference attracts senior management from the largest firms in the construction, engineering, architecture, legal and consulting industries as well as public leaders and development agency officials from the municipal, state and federal levels of government. More information on the event is available here. |
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| | | | Federal funding reductions impact states greatly  By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Immediately before and after the Great Recession, states were flush with government funding as federal money was allocated to stimulate a rapidly declining economy nationwide. Much of that funding, particularly in the form of grants, has since been dramatically curtailed. States have had to scramble to find ways to fund existing programs for the last few years. A recent Pew Charitable Trusts report indicates that the federal government actually pumped $3 trillion into the states during the 2013 fiscal year. And, for the last decade, total inflation-adjusted federal spending in the states grew 26 percent, from $2.5 trillion to $3.1 trillion. However, most of that increase was driven by benefits payments to individuals, which were a result of a recession that left so many people unemployed.
Federal funds, however, affect local economic activity significantly. Currently, most federal funding is allocated to five major spending categories.
The main categories for federal funding outlined in the Pew report include: - Retirement benefits - payments to individuals, three-fourths of which are made up by Social Security retirement and survivor and disability payments. Veterans' benefits and other retirement and disability payments are also included.
- Nonretirement benefits - includes Medicare benefits, food assistance, unemployment insurance payments, student financial aid and other assistance payments.
- Grants - funding to state and local governments for projects and programs involving health care, transportation, education and housing, along with funding for individuals and other nonfederal entities, such as research grants.
- Contracts - for purchases by the federal government of goods and services, from military and medical equipment to information technology and catering services.
- Salaries and wages - for payment to federal employees, two-thirds of whom are civilians, and one-third of whom are military personnel.
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TxDOT to get more than $1.7 billion for highway projects Texas highway funding will get a $1.74 billion boost after a legislative committee this week set the minimum balance for the state's rainy day fund at $7 billion. Voters in November approved a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to dedicate half of its oil and gas severance tax receipts to the state's transportation needs. The other half would go to the rainy day fund. But, the amount of that funding was contingent on what a select committee of lawmakers decided would be the minimum at which the rainy day fund must be maintained, in case of fiscal emergencies or disasters.
Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation said they expect some projects paid for with that extra $1.74 billion could start as early as next summer. The agency has not yet identified specific projects that will benefit from the funding. They have, however, set recommended guidelines on how the money will be doled out. Such a recommendation would have to be approved by the Legislative Budget Board.
TxDOT expects the funds will be used for congestion mitigation projects and to improve connectivity, particularly in rural areas. The largest part of the funds would be split between maintenance of existing infrastructure and repair of damages caused to roads by an increase in truck activity in oil and gas exploration areas of the state.
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Cruz moves to top of Austin ISD list for superintendent
And then there was one... Austin ISD Interim Superintendent Paul Cruz (pictured) at first blush was not interested in applying to lead the district full-time. Then, as the interview process continued and public sentiment stood firmly behind Cruz to become the next AISD superintendent, the plot thickened. The school board first announced that the process would be expanded, allowing Cruz to be considered for the job.
Later this week came word that Cruz was among three candidates who would be considered for lone finalist for the job. Then, finally, the two remaining candidates must have seen the handwriting on the wall, and both withdrew their candidacies, leaving Cruz as the sole remaining candidate under consideration.
The board is expected to make a formal decision on the lone superintendent finalist at its Dec. 15 meeting. Cruz has been a teacher, campus administrator and central office administrator in Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Central Texas and was superintendent of the Laredo ISD. He holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree from Corpus Christi State University. Cruz also has a Ph.D. from UT-Austin.
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Sunset Commission OK's consolidating health agencies
The Sunset Advisory Commission members this week announced their support for a recommendation to consolidate the state's five health agencies into one agency. The consolidation would include the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and four smaller agencies under its umbrella.
"This reorganization of Texas health and human services agencies will better serve our most vulnerable citizens and will create one front door for Texans who are seeking services," said Sen. Jane Nelson, who chairs the commission. "By creating one agency, we will also be able to eliminate duplicative functions and inefficiencies throughout our health and human services."
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City of Gonzales approves $3 million Expo Center
Gonzales City Council members recently agreed to begin construction on a new $3 million, 30,000-square-foot Expo Center with a capacity of 1,300 attendees.
The Expo Center will be a multi-purpose facility that can host family reunions, tractor shows, weddings and other events, said City Manager Allen Barnes. A layout plan for the proposed facility should be available to council members in about two weeks, Barnes said.
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Port Lavaca selects three finalists for city manager
Port Lavaca City Council members recently selected three finalists for city manager to replace current City Manager Bob Turner.
The three finalists are:
- Alan Grindstaff, a consultant from Maize, Kansas, who also was a city manager in Jasper and Crowley. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah and a master's degree from Brigham Young University;
- David Harris, an interim city administrator in Balcones Heights who also was an assistant city manager for Schertz and a city administrator of Hill Country Village. He has a bachelor's degree from Whitworth College and a master's degree from Trinity University; and
- Van James, whose most current employment was working to build cities in Iraq. He also was a city manager in Bridgeport, Flower Mound, Mount Pleasant, Canadian and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He has a bachelor's degree from West Texas A&M University and a master's degree from the University of Alabama.
City officials plan to interview the finalists in January, but have not yet decided on a firm date for the interviews.
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West Orange-Cove CISD decides against Chargois to lead district
In a 4-3 vote, trustees for the West Orange-Cove Consolidated School District recently voted against hiring Dr. Timothy Chargois, previously a superintendent for Beaumont ISD, as the Cove superintendent.
Chargois, who was terminated from the Beaumont district by a state-appointed board of managers after signing a separation agreement, was one of 17 who applied for the job to replace former Superintendent James Colbert, who resigned in October.
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Hrncir retiring as government relations officer in Austin
 John Hrncir (pictured) recently announced he is retiring as the governmental relations officer in Austin, effective Jan. 15, 2015. He joined the city in 1985 and became the government relations officer in 1992.
Among his accomplishments as part of the city's lobby team, Hrncir worked on securing more than $35 million in federal funding for the city, including $11 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to buy flooded property along Onion Creek.
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Kilgore delays decision to select interim city manager
Kilgore City Council members recently agreed to delay a decision on who to appoint as interim city manager to replace City Manager Scott Sellers, who is resigning at the end of the year to become city manager in Kyle.
Council members, who met in executive session for an hour and a half, are said to be considering Police Chief Todd Hunter and former City Manager Tony Williams, who served as interim manager while city officials went through the search process three years ago to hire Sellers as city manager.
City officials declined to disclose the identity of any of the candidates being discussed for interim city manager.
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Abilene ISD taps Cottner for new position as security officer
Abilene Independent School District trustees recently tapped Dan Cottner to serve in a newly created position to assess and maintain safety policy and procedures at all district campuses.
A recently approved bond is allowing the district to upgrade outdated security equipment and practices. Cottner, however, said his first action will be touring each campus with security experts to perform a security and safety audit.
Cottner also will be responsible for planning, evaluating and purchasing the most up-to-date security technology and equipment to protect students and staff.
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Fortenberry to serve as interim superintendent for Plano ISD
 Steve Fortenberry (pictured), chief financial officer for Plano Independent School District, recently agreed to serve as interim superintendent for the district. He will begin his new duties on Feb. 1, 2015, following the retirement of Superintendent Richard Matkin.
After stints as the chief financial officer for Fort Worth ISD and McKinney ISD, Fortenberry returned to the Plano school district in 2012 as the associate superintendent for business and facilities service. He served in the mid-80s as an assistant director of finance for the district. He said he has no plans to seek the job of superintendent.
Trustees expect the search to find a new superintendent will continue until late February, but said they may extend the search to find the right candidate for the job.
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Rio Hondo selects Bilokury as new public safety director Hondo city officials recently selected William Bilokury, a former police officer and firefighter, as the new public safety director to oversee both the police and fire departments. He will replace Chief Weldon Matlock, who left that job in October.
Bilokury retired in 2013 after serving 17 years with the Harlingen police department and two years with the Harlingen Fire Department. Council members selected Bilokury from a pool of 10 applicants after interviewing five finalists for public safety director. |
Ray to serve as deputy superintendent for Weatherford
 Dr. Kathy Ray (pictured) recently agreed to serve as the deputy superintendent for Weatherford Independent School District.
Currently the assistant superintendent for personnel, instruction and administration for Stephenville ISD, Ray begins her new duties in Weatherford on Jan. 5, 2015.
Ray had worked for the Stephenville school district for five years.
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Wilson selected permanent CEO of El Paso Workforce Solutions
 Joyce Wilson (pictured), a former city manager in El Paso, recently won selection as the permanent chief executive officer of Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande.
Wilson had served as interim CEO since mid-June after she resigned from the post she had held with the city for 10 years.
The board of Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande approved a three-year contract with Wilson, noted Bertha Gallardo, chairwomen and public affairs officer for Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare System.
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Water district approves building reverse osmosis plant
The Palo Pinto Municipal Water District No. 1 has approved construction of a reverse osmosis treatment plant. The plant will treat raw water from the Brazos River and will help meet water needs of the area as the drought continues.
With the lake down to about 3,000 acre-feet, only about seven months' worth of water is still available. The plant, with a projected cost of $6.1 million for construction and operations, is the best plan, according to officials. Construction is expected to begin by January 2015 and be completed by June.
Water customers can expect to see an increase in rates of anywhere from 50 to 70 percent. Continued conservation of water could reduce that percentage hike.
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DPS graduates four more canine teams from training program
Four troopers and eight dog were recently graduated from an eight-week Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) training program. They will join 44 other DPS teams stationed throughout the state. There are six explosive detection teams stationed in Austin.
"The DPS canine program is a powerful law enforcement tool responsible for detecting and keeping quantities of drugs off Texas streets," said DPS Director Steven McCraw. The dogs were obtained from the U.S. Department of Defense and K-9 Officers, a nonprofit organization.
Last year, DPS canine teams assisted in the seizure of approximately 14,470 pounds of marijuana, 455 pounds of cocaine, 16 pounds of heroin, 338 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 pounds of other drugs and $6.2 million in cash.
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Water Forum, press conference scheduled to be held in Laredo
The chairman of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and Sen. Judith Zaffirini of Laredo recently announced a press conference and Water Forum on Dec. 16 to discuss the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT).
The news conference, which will begin a 10 a.m., will be held at Texas A&M University-Laredo to address water issues in the Laredo area. The forum will begin at 10:30 a.m. At the press conference, Zaffirini and Chairman Carlos Rubinstein of the TWBD are expected to announce the application period for SWIFT funding is now open. Applications for the low-cost loans will be accepted through Feb. 3, 2015. In addition to TWDB staff, representatives from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will provide information on the current drought status, new water technologies, water planning and local water issues.
During the last legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill that led to the creating of the SWIFT to offer affordable financial assistance to cities, counties and water districts for projects in the state water plan.
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Kenneth Estes tapped as new superintendent for Alvarado ISD
 Dr. Kenneth Estes (pictured), currently an assistant superintendent at Alvardo Independent School District, recently won selection as the new superintendent for that district. He will replace Dr. Chester Juroska, who is retiring at the end of the year after 15 years as superintendent.
A former tennis coach who has been with the district for 21 years, Estes also was a teacher and principal before becoming the assistant superintendent of administrative services in 2011.
Estes has a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and an educational doctorate from Tarleton State University.
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Storey retiring as head of Harris County infrastructure department Art Storey, head of the Harris County Public Infrastructure Department, recently announced plans to retire at the end of January 2015. Storey has advised commissioners at their biweekly meetings for 16 years on methods to improve county roads and reduce flooding. His duties included overseeing construction and maintenance of county roads, bridges and parks. He is credited with expanding the Katy Freeway and Beltway 8 as well as implementing a plan to manage rising floodwaters. |
Waxahachie ISD planning panel urges $126 million bond election
Members of the Long Range Planning Committee of Waxahachie Independent School District recently urged trustees to ask voters to approve $125 million in bonds in May 2015 to pay for a new high school. Committee members also recommended that trustees study the feasibility of opening magnet schools such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEM) and to use existing funds to purchase land for the proposed new high school rather than using bond funds to buy the land. Trustees plan to discuss the recommendations in January 2015.
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