Restoration of community college funds applauded
Fight for release of $154 million is a wakeup call for schools
News earlier this week that the vetoed $154 million appropriation for the state's community colleges had been released was a huge relief but a stunning reminder of how hard two-year colleges must fight for ongoing funding, said Millicent M. Valek (right), chair of the Texas Association of Community Colleges and president of Brazosport College in Lake Jackson.
Increased funding for the state's 50 college districts, which steadily has diminished over the years, must become the top priority for community college officials and state lawmakers or schools will no longer be affordable to the students and families they appeal to, Valek said.
 "The association recognizes that the restored funding is an interim fix for the 2008-2009 year. We have a lot of work ahead of us with our legislators and the governor to get permanent funding for community colleges. We can't be fighting for money all of the time. After all, we are about educating students. That's where our primary focus must be."
Valek, other community college officials and state lawmakers were startled when Gov. Rick Perry in June vetoed the second year of the schools' state funds appropriated for employee health benefits for the 2008-2009 biennium. He alleged that the colleges had falsified their appropriations requests for employee health benefits.
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Bartek chosen to serve as new director of TPASS
Skip Bartek (pictured), previous deputy executive director of procurement at the former Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC), has been named Director of Texas Procurement and Support Services (TPASS) at the Texas State Comptroller's Office.
In his new position, Bartek will oversee statewide procurement and contracting, which includes the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program, Mail Operations, Quick Copy and the Office of Vehicle Fleet Management.
Bartek began his career in the public sector as the Purchasing and Textbook Inventory Manager for the Lockhart ISD. His career in state government began in 2005 as the Internal Procurement Manager for TBPC. He was later appointed Deputy Executive Director of Procurement, where he had oversight for all functions of statewide procurement and contracting.
Bartek earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix while working in contracting and business management. Shortly after earning his degree, he became Director of Project Management, Networking and Billing for a startup telecommunications company.
This week's salute is to Pattie Featherston, COO
for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
Career highlights and education: I became the Chief Operating Officer for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) in May 2005. Duties include providing executive direction and operational oversight to the Benefit Services and Financial divisions, as well as Communications, Governmental Relations, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Special Projects. That only leaves Investments, Legal, and Internal Audit outside of my direct responsibility. TRS first employed me in January 1997 as the Director of Governmental Relations. This was a fit, as my previous career experience involved working with the Texas Legislature and state government, both in the public and private sectors. As for educational background, I bleed burnt orange. I graduated from UT-Austin with a BBA. I changed my major from education when I transferred from what was then East Texas State University in Commerce. I graduated from a very small town high school, Rains High School in Emory, Texas, after growing up mostly in Richardson (North Dallas). We moved when my parents could wait no longer to retire and move to the country. It was a cultural shock, but also welcome and very enriching.
What I like best about my job is: Although it is difficult to pick just one thing that I like most about my job, probably the very best aspect is that I am a part of something so worthwhile. Managing TRS is complicated and challenging, and I am grateful to be engaged in such a meaningful purpose every day. This would be enough for anyone, but what makes this job truly rewarding is that it serves educators in such a personal way, caring for their financial retirement. I believe educators have the most important jobs of our society, and most of us could not begin to fill their shoes. Like I mentioned above, early on I veered away from a career in education. As a result, I am that much more awestruck and respectful of those who have hung in there to become career educators.
The best advice I've received for my current job: Find the balance in paying attention to detail while not sweating the small stuff.
Advice I would give a new hire in my office: Stay on your toes and be flexible. Every day brings a new and unforeseen challenge. After over a decade at TRS, I still learn something new every day. The issues are very complex and intriguing, and there is never a dull moment.
If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: having fun with my granddaughter. She has just turned one year old, and is a terrific blast...automatic smiles and laughter guaranteed.
People would be surprised to know that: in high school I sang both in church and with a local rock band. I hope that demonstrated an appreciation for diversity early on.
One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: I wish more people knew about the vastness of all things TRS. Just a few examples include: 1.1 million active and retired members; over $111 billion in assets to manage; almost $6 billion paid out annually in retirement benefits; and about 1,800 calls a day received by the TRS phone Counseling Center. Moreover, this is all managed by TRS with a staff of less than 450, at a cost per member of about $2 per month for benefits administration, and under three basis points for investment management. With TRS directly related to about one in 20 Texans, that's a great value for Texas!
Each week, the Texas Government Insider profiles a key government executive or decision-maker. If you would like to suggest a "Lone Star," please email us at editor@spartnerships.com.
Report details tougher standards for Texas classrooms
Frustrated by reports of increasing numbers of unprepared students entering college, Texas lawmakers required the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to create more rigorous academic standards for K-12 public school curriculum.
The preliminary result of that legislative mandate is the 104-page Draft Texas College Readiness Standards (CRS), approved and released by the coordinating board during its quarterly meeting Thursday. The report represents nine months of work by four teams of public and higher education faculty members focusing on English/language arts, mathematics, science and the social sciences. Each team has identified what students should know and the skills they should have to be successful in entry-level college courses and the workforce.
"The CRS are important because all students should have a clear understanding of what they need to know to be successful in higher education and the workforce. Also, we expect that the CRS will decrease the number of students requiring developmental education in higher education, decrease the number of high school graduates who need retraining in the job market and lessen duplication of secondary and postsecondary courses," said Raymund A. Paredes (pictured), Commissioner of Higher Education.
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California disaster changes procurement policies
Federal assistance is being made available for Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties in California after President George W. Bush declared the counties disaster areas as a result of the California wildfires.
Emergency purchasing regulations are now in effect in those areas, allowing federal officials assisting with disaster relief to make the best and fastest buys. State and local governments can use GSA Schedule contracts to buy products and services related to disaster relief. This can open procurement contracts with any business that it determines is in the best interest of those in the disaster area, whether in California or Texas or any other state. Emergency regulations also allow for "less than full and open competition," in making essential purchases related to disaster relief if it will help mitigate the disaster.
Three appointed to UT System Board of Regents
The University of Texas System Board of Regents has three new members. They are James D. Dannenbaum (right) of Houston, Paul Foster (middle) of El Paso and Printice L. Gary (left) of Dallas.
They succeed regents Rita C. Clements of Dallas, Judith L. Craven of Houston, and Cyndi Taylor Krier of San Antonio. Their terms are scheduled to expire in 2013. Gov. Rick Perry announced the appointments last Friday.
Dannenbaum, chairman of an engineering firm, received a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin. Foster, an oil company executive, earned a bachelor's degree from Baylor University. Gary, the founder of a real estate company, holds a bachelor's degree from Carleton College and a master's degree from Harvard University.
James R. Huffines, chairman of the board of regents, applauded the appointments. "Governor Perry's appointment of these outstanding individuals to the UT System Board of Regents is wonderful news for all of us in the UT System family and for all Texans," Huffines said. "Each of them possesses a wide array of professional experience and shares a deep commitment to fostering excellence in higher education and health care across the state, which makes them superb choices. I, along with the rest of the Board, look forward to serving with them as we continue to carry out our strategic goals and mission."
Early voting is slow for upcoming General Election
It's been slow going for early voting in the Nov. 6 General Election, which began Monday and will continue through next Friday, Nov. 2. The state ballot includes 16 constitutional amendments proposed by Texas lawmakers.
Turnout so far this week has been sluggish, according to Secretary of State Phil Wilson (pictured). By 7 p.m. Wednesday, about .52 percent of the state's 12,357,887 registered voters had cast ballots. In Harris County, 18,384 of the county's 1.8 million voters had gone to the polls and 3,156 of Travis County's 539,000 voters had voted.
Historically, state elections involving constitutional amendments have not drawn large numbers of voters. In the November 2005 election, 18 percent of state voters cast ballots. In November 2003, the statewide turnout was 12 percent.
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Five new members appointed to LCRA board
Five new board members have been appointed to the Lower Colorado River Authority. They are Brenda Adair of Blanco, Steve K. Balas of Eagle Lake, Becky Armendariz Klein of San Antonio, Franklin S. Spears Jr. of Austin and Bobby Steiner of Bastrop. Adair is a bank vice president. Balas is a pharmacist and owns a drugstore. Klein and Spears are attorneys. Steiner is a rancher.
The 15-member board oversees activities of the authority which delivers electricity, manages water supply and protects the quality of water for the Lower Colorado River and its tributaries. Gov. Rick Perry announced the appointments last week.
Health Disparities Task Force gets two new members
Dr. Reginald Baugh (left) of Temple and Nanette Paredes (right) of Midland have been appointed to the Health Disparities Task Force. The Health Disparities Task Force was established to eliminate health and health access disparities in Texas. House Speaker Tom Craddick announced the appointments this week.
Baugh, a physician, also is a professor of surgery at Texas A&M University Health Science System College of Medicine. Paredes, a physician assistant, holds a master's degree from Texas Tech Health Science Center School of Allied Health.
Fire department grant application period opens
 Texas fire departments can begin applying for federal grants to increase the number of firefighters and support their work. The application period opened Monday and will extend through Nov. 30.
Grants are funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Fire Prevention and Safety Program. The federal funding can be used for a variety of projects that enhance the safety of both firefighters and the public from fire and fire-related hazards.
The program supports projects that include fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile fire setter interventions, media campaigns and arson prevention and awareness programs. To access the online application form click here: here
TEA's bond guarantee program in danger
Newly appointed Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott spent part of last week in Washington, D.C., pleading his case to a congressional delegation from Texas for increasing the state's bond cap. A Texas Education Agency (TEA) program that allows school districts to sell bonds at lower interest rates is in serious danger of running out of money. If the program is tapped out, school districts would face higher costs to finance voter-approved construction projects.
Texas legislators will now, for the second time in recent years, have to lobby the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other federal officials for an increase in the cap. They successfully lobbied to have at least $8 billion added in 2005. It could take a few months for the IRS to make a decision. The TEA's bond guarantee program, which can accommodate approximately $53 billion in bonds, was just $4.7 billion short of capacity as of Aug. 31. The recent rush on school bonds - fueled by a steep reduction in property taxes that makes the climate more favorable for districts to ask voters for more money - is draining the fund's capacity, according to TEA officials.
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TxDOT, NTTA contract finally signed for Highway 21
New Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Executive Director Amadeo Saenz (pictured) has signed the agreement between TxDOT and the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) that allows NTTA to build the remaining portion of State Highway 21.
NTTA's bid beat out Spanish construction firm Cintra to complete the highway and thus earn the right to build, operate and collect tolls on the highway for the next 50 years. NTTA now must meet a Dec. 1 deadline to enter into a financing agreement for the project and provide the $3.3 billion in up-front cash it promised as part of its bid.
Many state licensing fees to be reduced
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) will reduce 21 licensing and registration fees in eight of the agency's programs. The reductions, which range from 8 percent to 80 percent, are projected to exceed $1.3 million annually.
"We perform an annual review of our licensing fees to ensure that each program covers only the cost of operating it," said William Kuntz, TDLR's executive director. "As our efficiency improves, it is good news for our licensees."
Some fee reductions include: barbers licenses, reduced from $90 every two years to $70, master electrician and master sign electrician licenses, $65 annually to $50; elevator contractors licenses, $300 annually to $115; and combative sports contestants licenses, $30 annually to $20. For a complete list of licensing fee reductions, click: here.
Residential Construction Commission seeks volunteers
The Texas Residential Construction Commission is seeking applications for seven seats on its 12-member warranties and building and performance standards advisory committee. The committee reviews proposed changes to the state-adopted minimum warranties and performance standards.
"As building industry practices, construction techniques and customer expectations change, standards need to evolve as well. This committee aids the commission in its duty to make sure the standards and warranties properly reflect Texans' needs and desires in the future," said Duane Waddill (pictured), the commission's executive director.
The commission needs to fill the following seats: one professional engineer certified by the commission; one homeowner who is not employed or involved in residential construction; two persons who have experience representing consumers or homeowners; one registered small-volume builder/remodeler (fewer than 10 homes registered each year) or the registered agent of a small-volume builder/remodeler; one registered large-volume builder/remodeler (more than 100 homes registered each year) or the registered agent of a large-volume builder/remodeler; and one attorney who primarily represents builders/remodelers.
Five UTSA provost candidates to visit campus
The five finalists for the provost position at the University of Texas at San Antonio will visit with faculty, staff, students and community members in meetings beginning next week. Among the finalists are (from left):
- Zulma Toro-Ramos, dean of the College of Engineering at Wichita State University, Kansas
- Marek Dollar, dean and professor of engineering science, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
- Jeffrey Seeman, dean, College of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
- John Frederick, senior fellow, National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, Washington, D.C., and former executive vice president and provost, University of Nevada, Reno
- Gail Hackett, vice provost and dean, University College, Arizona State University, Phoenix
The committee that named the five finalists now must present UTSA President Ricardo Romo with a list of three finalists. Romo will then choose the person to replace Rosalie Ambrosino, who stepped down in August.
Three appointed as Texas Southern University regents
Samuel Lee Bryant (left) of Austin, Curtistene Smith McCowan of DeSoto and Tracye McDaniel (right) of Houston have been appointed to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents. Gov. Rick Perry announced the appointments Thursday.
Bryant owns an investment group and received a bachelor's degree from Tuskegee University. McCowan most recently worked as a senior investigator with the Federal Trade Commission's Southwest Regional Office and holds a bachelor's degree from Dallas Baptist University. McDaniel is executive vice president and chief operating officer of Greater Houston Partnership and received a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin.
Two San Antonio institutions earn tech donations
Trinity University and the University of Texas at San Antonio are the recipients of a total of nearly $8 million in donations for their respective technology projects. UTSA's College of Engineering is the recipient of $1.5 million from the AT&T Foundation, $1 million from David and Jennifer Spencer, $250,000 from the Zachry Foundation and $100,000 from Pape-Dawson Engineers Inc. to create the iTEC Center.
Trinity University will receive $5 million from the AT&T Foundation toward its $200 million capital campaign. The money will be used for upgrades to campus technology infrastructure - from computer labs to updating the Center for Learning and Technology.
UTSA's iTEC will be used to help increase engineering and science enrollment at the university, said Mauli Agrawal (pictured), dean of the College of Engineering. The center will feature interactive activities for students from kindergarten to undergrads.
Prairie View officials earn award from USDA
Dr. Linda Williams-Willis (left), dean of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences and administrator of the Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M, and colleague Dr. Carolyn Nobles (right), program leader for Family and Consumer Sciences, were among the six recipients of the first CSREES Partnerships Award for Multi-State Efforts. The award, which recognizes the winners' efforts on the Families First: Nutrition Education Wellness System project, was presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) award recognized achievements of its partners in the Land-Grant universities and other cooperating universities. The Families First project began in 1977 and included the University of Aransas at Pine Bluff, Langston University, Prairie View and Southern University. It has since expanded to eight universities.
The group has worked toward impacting the diet and health of primarily African-American, Latino and Native American populations to help improve nutrition and reduce the incidence of related chronic diseases.
UTSA receives $1 million gift from bank foundation
Bank of America's charitable foundation has donated $1 million to the University of Texas at San Antonio to boost research in early childhood education.
The money will help fund the Bank of America Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute at the UTSA Downtown Campus, newly renamed for its donor.
The gift will build a playground at Navarro Academy, which is an alternative high school with an early childhood center, and fund two endowments at UTSA, one for scholarships and another to secure the research institute's future.
UT appoints leadership team to advance diversity
Three new associate vice presidents have been appointed in the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) at The University of Texas at Austin in the most recent effort to enhance the university's diversity and community engagement initiatives.
The appointees include (from left) Dr. Edmund T. Gordon, Dr. Angela Valenzuela and Dr. Wanda L. Nelson. Gordon, an associate professor of anthropology and director of the Center for African and African American Studies, has been appointed associate vice president for thematic initiatives and community engagement.
"These appointments place extraordinarily qualified people in leadership roles, and combined with the recent restructuring and expansion of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, creates one of the most comprehensive units of its kind in higher education," said Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, vice president for diversity and community engagement and the W.K. Kellogg Professor. "It demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our president, William Powers Jr., to promote diversity and community engagement among faculty, staff and students on this campus."
Valenzuela, a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education and director of the Texas Center for Education Policy (TCEP), has been appointed associate vice president for school partnerships.
Nelson, who has been an assistant vice president in Vincent's office with responsibility for outreach centers, has been promoted to associate vice president for pre-college youth development and student diversity initiatives.
Texas A&M receives $6.8 million for health research
A $6.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will allow researchers at Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M University System to study rural and minority health issues such as diabetes and obesity.
The Center for the Study of Health Disparities at the College of Education and Human Development and the Center for Community Health Development at A&M's Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health (HSC-SRPH) received the five-year grant from the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities.
The funding is for a program that will address rural and minority health issues by providing critical information on how population and contextual factors impact food choice, dietary patterns and the risk of obesity in minority and rural populations, including children.
"This substantial grant from the National Institutes of Health provides the opportunity for Texas A&M University and the Health Science Center to focus our efforts on addressing the significant disparities in health that exist between and within minority and majority populations, particularly in rural areas," said Kenneth McLeroy (pictured), professor of social and behavioral health at HSC-SRPH, who will serve as prinicpal investigator on the research.
SMU awarded $5M for scholarship program
Dallas business leader Edwin L. Cox has donated $5 million to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The contribution is earmarked for merit-based scholarships for students attending the university's Edwin L. Cox School of Business.
The gift also will serve as a challenge gift toward reaching a $10 million fundraising goal to create an endowment fund for the Cox School's BBA Scholars Program. The program provides scholarships for highly qualified first-year students who express interest in business as a major.
"Ed Cox has supported SMU generously with his time, talents and resources for more than 50 years," said SMU President R. Gerald Turner (pictured). "It is characteristic that he would step up to fund one of the University's greatest priorities -- the support of high-achieving students. We are grateful for his vision and generosity."
Cox has served SMU in numerous capacities through the years, including as chairman of the board of trustees from 1967 to 1987. He was given SMU's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1974.
Round Rock ACC annexation group meets petition goal
ACCtion 4 Education, a group hoping to annex the entire Round Rock Independent School District into the Austin Community College (ACC) taxing district, this week said it has collected the required 4,000 signatures to place the proposal on the May 10 election ballot. The signatures must be verified by ACC officials.
About one-third of the Round Rock school district - the portion that is in southeastern Austin - already is part of the college taxing district. Raymond Hartfield (pictured), petition drive co-chair and a school district trustee, said students would be able to take courses at ACC at a much cheaper rate. A student living in the ACC district pays $39 a credit hour for most courses. An out-of-district student pays $120 per credit hour. No organized opposition to the annexation has surfaced.
If ACC wins voter approval to expand its taxing jurisdiction, it plans to build a $9.6 million campus complex in the northeastern sector of the school district. The ACC board has announced that it will acquire about 60 acres near the Round Rock Higher Education Center for the new campus, which would serve as many as 11,000 students.
If enough signatures are collected, the ACC Board of Trustees will hold public hearings on the proposal between Jan. 19 and Feb. 3, officials said. The May 10 election would be ordered by ACC trustees at a meeting in March. The deadline for collecting enough signatures to call the vote is Oct. 31.
UT-Tyler, Angelo State to get doctoral programs
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board this week approved the first Ph.D. program for the University of Texas at Tyler and gave preliminary approval for the first Ph.D. program at Angelo State University.
UT-Tyler's doctoral program will be in nursing and will be the only completely online program in the state. Applicants are expected to begin enrolling in fall 2008. Dr. Linda Klotz (right), dean of the UT-Tyler College of Nursing and Health Sciences, said the program will bring something to East Texas "that will benefit the entire region."
The doctoral program at ASU will be for a Doctor of Physical Therapy that will begin accepting students in 2010. ASU President Dr. Joseph Rallo (left) said it is appropriate that the first doctoral degree will be in physical therapy, as community support helped establish a physical therapy program at the university eight years ago. More than $1 million was contributed then to help establish the program that led to a Master of Physical Therapy degree.
UT to use $38M to study reducing greenhouse gases
The University of Texas at Austin has received a $38 million subcontract to study the feasibility of injecting a large volume of carbon dioxide into underground storage. The project is designed to build public confidence about an approach to reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The 10-year contract awarded to the university's Bureau of Economic Geology is part of a research program of the Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership. The Department of Energy is funding the program, and Plano's Denbury Resources Inc. will manage the project, along with Southern States Energy Board.
The university will study injecting large amounts of carbon dioxide into deep, underground salt water reservoirs near Natchez, Miss. Experimental equipment will measure whether the reservoirs accept and retain the gas.
Dallas couple donates $5 million to Lamar University
Phillip and Karen Drayer have donated $5 million to rejuvenate Lamar University's electrical engineering program. In recognition of the couple's philanthropy, university officials on Monday announced the naming of the Phillip M. Drayer Department of Electrical Engineering in the lobby of the Cherry Engineering Building.
"This $5 million gift will transform the electrical engineering program and, ultimately, the college," said James Simmons (pictured), president of the university. "It will enable us to recruit top-quality faculty and students, provide research and scholarship assistance, and help the college to grow in many other ways."
Phillip Drayer, who graduated from Lamar University in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, is a successful entrepreneur in the field of semiconductors. Now retired, he started out as a design engineer for a California technology company and eventually founded his own semiconductor manufacturing company. He also earned a law degree from South East Texas College of Law.
Brazosport hospital shows support for college
The Brazosport Regional Health System and Brazosport College have penned a partnership that includes financial support and establishment of clinical sites for the college's new associate degree nursing program. The college anticipates approval to offer associate degrees in nursing as early as fall 2008. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the registered nurse licensure exam.
Dan Buche, CEO of the health system, said the partnership will serve as the foundation for the development of other health profession programs. The ability to provide funding for startup costs for new programs is important to Texas colleges because state appropriations do not cover new program development. That cost must be financed locally.
End of an era for Marine Science Institute's 'Longhorn'
The 103-foot-long "Longhorn" research vessel (pictured) has made its last trip for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. The vessel that has served as a research vessel for more than 30 years has been sold to a Houston-based oil and gas exploration company for $265,000 and was picked up this week by its new owners.
Last year, it was determined that the burnt orange and white vessel would require some $1.5 million in repairs. It also was being used infrequently because those using the vessel needed deeper water capabilities than the Longhorn could provide. It has not been used since last October.
The Longhorn arrived at the Port Aransas campus in 1975 and charged $6,250 per day for its use, sailing up to 100 days per year. With the loss of the Longhorn, the institute still maintains a fleet of 11 smaller boats.
UTSA granted $500,000 to create endowed chair
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has received a $500,000 gift from the estate of Jacqueline Eugenia Ramsdell to establish a new endowed chair in accounting.
Ramsdell, a prominent San Antonio real estate broker, died in 2006. The Glenn L. and Sally P. Ramsdell Memorial Chair for Accounting will be housed within the UTSA College of Business. The endowment was named in honor of Ramsdell's mother and father.
"We will be able to recruit top accounting faculty members to the College of Business to lead efforts in the classroom and in academic research," said James D. Groff, chairman of the department of accounting at UTSA.
The UTSA College of Business is the largest undergraduate business school within the University of Texas System. The college offers degrees across several disciplines, including accounting, economics, finance, information systems, management and marketing.
Austin Mayor Wynn calls for 2008 rail election
Austin Mayor Will Wynn (pictured) has called for a November 2008 election to build a Central Austin passenger rail system connecting the airport, downtown, The University of Texas and developments in North Austin.
Wynn's proposal would be the second phase of the city's commuter rail system now under way by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Under Wynn's proposal, Capital Metro would operate the rail system and cover operating costs.
It is not known how much the project would cost or how it would be paid for. Wynn also proposed creating a task force of several jurisdictions to flesh out ways for the city and other public entities and possibly private developers to pay for the proposed line.
Wynn said he hopes that the task force would conclude its business within six months, which would allow a rail election campaign to begin by summer.
High tech robot considered by Killeen, Waco police
The Killeen and Waco police departments are considering using a new high tech robotic tool to help in standoff or hostage situations.
The new device is basically a remote control robot and attached camera that gives police officers another set of eyes to view what sort of threat they are up against and where a suspect is located. The cost is about $6,500.
It can be tossed up to 30 feet in the air or hundreds of feet away, into buildings and homes. It's relatively new technology and it was designed by college students with the aid of a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The device is being used in more than a dozen police departments nationwide and is being marketed to police departments in Central Texas.
Study: Temple should consider adding fire stations
 A new study recommends the city of Temple start planning to build a new central fire station and two additional stations to properly serve residents of the growing community over the next two years.
The city council will discuss the recommendations in upcoming meetings.
The city-commissioned study by a consulting firm concluded that because of an increased workload, Temple's fire department is effective, but 90 percent of the time it takes nine minutes to respond to a fire or EMS call. Temple fire and EMS have an average response time of six minutes and five seconds. Waco's response time averages between four and five minutes.
Bexar County's mental health program earns award
Bexar County officials are setting the bar for other counties in dealing with mental health issues for those incarcerated in its jail. Commissioner Paul Elizondo (pictured) is hopeful that Bexar County's efforts will jump-start efforts by business and community leaders as well as they tackle a growing mental health problem nationwide.
For its efforts in creating a mental health court for non-violent offenders with mental illness and for its efforts to reduce the number of persons with mental illness in the court system and in jail, the county received an award from Mental Health America. The mental health court's foundation came from a $250,000 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
The county also is increasing its healthcare coverage for employees so that it will now cover mental health treatment and provide employees with the same co-pay as other doctor visits.
First two commuter train cars arrive in Austin
As the first two commuter trains (pictured) arrived via 18-wheeler trucks in Austin on Monday, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority board approved an additional $3.7 million for its MetroRail passenger service project.
The two train cars, which were shipped in large pieces, are the first of six custom-made diesel vehicles the agency is buying from a Swiss company.
The cars will be assembled and subjected to thousands of hours of test runs on the agency's track between Leander and downtown Austin. The remaining trains are scheduled to arrive by next spring. Service should begin in about a year.
The $3.7 million in board-approved expenditures includes three more commuter rail contracts for engineering and design, canopies and structures at seven of the nine stations and for improvements at High Street Crestview Station development being built alongside the Capital Metro track in North Austin.
Arlington approves $83 million plan to expand airport
The Arlington City Council on Tuesday approved an $83 million expansion plan that could increase traffic and development opportunities at and around the Arlington Municipal Airport over the next 20 years.
The master plan calls for expanding the 6,000-foot runway by 700 feet to accommodate more types of planes and building a new, larger terminal with more plane parking spaces. The plan also calls for opening up the west side of the property for development by adding a second taxiway.
The plan still needs approval from the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration, which could take up to a year. At least $61 million of the 20-year plan is eligible for state and federal funding and the city's portion of the project, about 26 percent, could be paid for by bonds and gas well revenue, according to city officials.
Region 14 Education Service Center may be moving
A three-member panel appointed by the federal government has recommended that the old Grimes Memorial U.S. Army Reserve Center in Abilene should be the new home for the Region 14 Education Service Center when the Army moves out. Committee members (from right) Anthony Williams and Sam Chase, member of the city council, and Dixie Bassett, chair of the local United Way, have completed their work after making the recommendation and now the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs will make the final decision.
If the ESC takes over the building, it will pay approximately 20 percent of the market value of the facility, with the U.S. Department of Education paying the other 80 percent. The ESC would house three programs: McKinney-Vento Texas Support for the Homeless Education Program, which identifies homeless students and provides services for them; Learn and Serve Texas, a program that teaches learning through community service; and Communities in Schools, a program that provides adults to work with at-risk students on six campuses.
The Army Reserve will continue to use the building until a new building is constructed at Dyess Air Force Base.
Two Texas educators to be honored for leadership
Two Texas educators will be honored at the 25th Annual Administrative Leadership Institute (ALI) for their dedication and contributions to public education. The awards will be presented during a special luncheon set for Nov. 15 in College Station.
Fred Brent (pictured), superintendent of Anderson-Shiro ISD, will receive the Hoyle Award in Educational Leadership. Leonard Merrell, retired superintendent of Katy ISD, will be awarded the Golden Deeds Award.
Brent, who holds a doctorate from Texas A&M University, served as an administrator in Navasota, Orange and Little Cypress/Mauriceville before becoming superintendent at Anderson-Shiro. Merrell was awarded the 1998 Texas Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators.
ALI is sponsored by the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University, the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Dell Computer Corp.
Wimberley ISD may challenge state over funding
Residents in the Wimberley Independent School District, one of the state's richest districts, on Monday night expressed their fury over having to pay for Texas' poorer school districts to educate students.
The school district owes the state's school finance system $3.2 million in February of 2008. But district trustees are considering not making the payment, which they said will cause a budget deficit of $650,000. If the district doesn't pay, the case will wind up in court.
The Texas Education Agency could decide to take over the entire Wimberley school district but a TEA official said the agency won't take action until the district misses the payment.
High school athlete steroid testing delayed
Officials of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) say testing of high school athletes for steroids may be delayed until after the state's high school football season closes. UIL officials are still studying proposals from more than a dozen companies that responded to a bid to provide the testing program.
The proposed testing is a result of legislation from the 80th Texas Legislature, which set aside $3 million annually for a random testing program that would involve up to 25,000 high school athletes per year. The legislation specified that the program should start sometime during the 2007-2008 school year. UIL and state officials note also that they also have yet to provide for public hearings on the issue.
Any high school athlete who tests positive for steroids will be subject to a 30-day suspension from athletic endeavors for a first offense.
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Some Texas entities slow
to embrace up-front
costs of 'going green'
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Although few people would argue the need to preserve the environment, "going green" has not had the success many had hoped for - especially among government entities in Texas.
A national movement targeting energy savings and cost reductions through green building has been slow to catch on in Texas. For the most part, very few public schools in Texas have even attempted to build to green standards.
The Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) estimates that schools will spend $53 billion this year on school construction. That is a lot of school buildings in a one-year period. The same group estimates that green standards are likely to make up only 10 percent of the school construction market by 2010. That is an extremely small amount. More than 300 schools nationwide have been certified as green buildings, but only nine of those are in Texas.
There must be a reason for the fact that this initiative is not meeting with the success that was projected. The primary motivation for schools to build to green standards is the reported maintenance and operations cost savings. But, school districts in Texas say that the initial higher first costs are a killing barrier. Most say that while the cost savings may be good over the life of the building, schools cannot justify the higher initial capital outlay.
[more]
Miller new Fire Fighters'
Pension Commissioner
Lisa Ivie Miller (pictured) of Austin is the state's new Fire Fighters' Pension Commissioner. Gov. Rick Perry announced the appointment Monday.
The commissioner monitors local pension plans and administers state pension benefits for fire and emergency medical departments across the state. Miller, currently a legislative consultant for a law firm, is past deputy executive director of the State Firemen's Association of Texas and the Fire Marshal's Association of Texas. She received a bachelor's degree from West Texas A&M University and a master's degree from Sam Houston State University.
Congress studying Internet tax, sales tax deductions
A couple of notes of interest have come out of this week's U.S. Congress sessions - the filing of legislation that would permanently extend the current temporary sales tax exemption for Texas and other states that do not collect an income tax and passage in both the House and Senate of legislation that would continue the moratorium on collection of state and local taxes on Internet access. The Senate approved a seven-year extension of the tax moratorium and the House approved a four-year extension. The legislation will now go to conference committee for both sides to iron out their differences. The current tax ban, which was initiated in 1998, expires Nov. 1.
Texas Forest Service
assists with wildfires
Employees of the Texas Forest Service (TFS) are assisting in the California wildfire disaster by furnishing an area command aviation coordinator and a base camp manager. In the meantime, TFS is continuing to monitor fire conditions in North and South Central Texas, noting there is an abundance of fuel such as dry grass across the state because of spring and summer rainfall and a development of a La Nina system in the eastern Pacific. That and strong winds and low relative humidity could lead to wildfires in Texas as well. TFS is preparing an analysis of predicted fire weather conditions which will be used to work with other agencies to preposition TFS resources as needed.
SSAISD votes to close
West Campus high school
The doors of West Campus high school in the South San Antonio ISD will close next fall and merge with the South San Antonio High School, following a close 4-3 vote of the school board this week. Opponents have promised a fight to keep open the low-performing, sparsely attended school of approximately 600 students.
Board member Connie Prado (pictured), one of the three board members who voted not to close the school, urged the superintendent of the district to appoint a committee to study the issue or to call a special election and let voters decide the school's fate.
West Campus students were forced to move to South San Antonio High School before school opened this year because of flood damage to the West Campus over the summer months.
Austin school district purchases green bus
The Austin Independent School District (AISD) is the first in Texas to purchase a plug-in hybrid electric school bus. Austin Energy and the Clean School Bus Program of Central Texas helped with the $210,000 purchase. The bus will be delivered to Garcia Middle School Nov. 7.
The AISD is one of 19 school districts in the United States to use a new diesel-electric hybrid school bus. The new bus will have 40 percent higher fuel efficiency than the current buses. The technology allows the bus to be plugged in when it is parked overnight.
Waco approves giant statue of Texas Ranger off I-35
A nearly 70-foot-tall concrete statue of a lawman will soon stand guard in front of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum along Interstate 35 in Waco. The giant likeness of a Texas Ranger will be decked out in 1880s attire, including a sidearm and a rifle.
The Waco City Council gave approval to the $650,000 project last week. The council's action allows supporters to begin raising funds for the statue slated for completion in the fall of 2008.
Houston sculptor David Adickes is designing the statue. He also designed the 67-foot-tall concrete and steel statue of Sam Houston off Interstate 45 near Huntsville.
Galveston middle school
to get parking lot
The Galveston Independent School District will spend $461,000 to buy eight houses near Central Middle School with plans to build a parking lot for school staff and visitors. Limited parking has been a longstanding problem at the middle school. Staff and visitors must park in a driveway on the west side of the school or on the street.
The vacant two-story frame houses are at least 50 years old and in a state of disrepair. Because the structures could be considered historic, the Galveston Historical Foundation is working with the school district to determine if the houses can be relocated or whether any materials can be salvaged before they are razed.
Parkland considering another suburban clinic
With 10 community clinics already spread throughout Dallas County, Parkland Memorial Hospital is considering another one - in Grand Prairie.
An increasing Hispanic and elderly population in that area of Dallas County led Parkland to consider a Grand Prairie site that would serve the uninsured there. While Parkland officials are still studying the idea, city officials in Grand Prairie are moving faster, having signed an option on a vacant 50,000-square-foot grocery building as a possible site for the clinic. The building sells for $1.5 million and officials estimate the costs to convert it to a medical clinic at $7.4 million.
Parkland's President and CEO, Dr. Ron Anderson (pictured), said the city would have to make a sizable contribution to the project, which the city indicated it is prepared to do.
Jail construction hits code snags in Caldwell County
Caldwell County officials have opened bids on the construction of an updated jail complex, but are not ready to award a contract on the project. That's because the city of Lockhart inspection officials are requiring some changes to the plans, which will require changes in the existing bids.
Necessary changes include updates in parking, fire safety and vehicle access. The county's architect is working with the city to correct the problems and has asked the county's commissioner's court to award the contract at a later date.
Three teams to bid on U.S. 281 toll road project
The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority board voted Wednesday to let all three private teams submit plans to rebuild U.S. 281 north of Loop 1604 into a tollway with free access roads by 2012. The latest estimates for the tollway are $426 million for construction and $220 million for upkeep over 40 years.
The three teams include 29 construction, engineering and public affairs companies. Two foreign groups had expressed interest in the project, but recently dropped out of the process.
Prisons' population boosts Raymondville's numbers
The South Texas town of Raymondville has seen its population jump by nearly 40 percent in the last four years due to an influx of prisoners and undocumented immigrant inmates. The Willacy County farm town's population had been holding at a steady 10,000 in previous years.
The population explosion will translate into state and federal dollars for Raymondville, when recorded by U.S. Census officials and the Texas State Data Center next year. The most recent federal and state population counts failed to include about 3,800 inmates at the city's two prisons and the detention center that holds undocumented immigrants for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Mayor Lonnie Correra said additional federal and state funding will be used to repair and add capacity to the city's wastewater and water systems, which have been over-taxed by the city's growing populace.
Fort Bend commissioners consider $70M bond election
Fort Bend county commissioners want to consolidate all district and county courts-at-law in one courthouse in Richmond. They are now divided between two buildings.
The commissioners on Tuesday moved closer to building a new courthouse by approving a resolution stating their intent to fund the $70 million facility. County Judge Bob Hebert (pictured) said a bond election could possibly be placed before voters in May.
Katy officials appoint tax oversight committee
The Katy City Council has created a new committee to oversee the use of revenue generated by the city's hotel occupancy tax. The seven-member panel, which includes volunteers with a range of professional and civic experience, will consider funding requests from eligible groups and make project recommendations to the council.
The city has received approximately $180,000 from Katy's only hotel. According to the state tax code, those funds can be used to promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry. The committee is expected to begin reviewing project requests in December.
Brownsville, Odessa study red light cameras
Brownsville's foray into the red-light camera business has been put on hold and despite the recommendation of its police chief, the Odessa City Council is showing little interest in a similar project.
Brownsville previously approved the cameras, which were to have been installed in September as part of a pilot program. But highway construction and the loss of the city's purchasing director have scuttled the program for now. City officials identified a trio of intersections where they planned to place the cameras.
In Odessa, the issue was dropped, at least for the time being, after a motion on the proposal to install the cameras never materialized following a presentation by the police chief and the city engineer. Many cities are rethinking the use of the cameras after legislation went into effect in September that capped the amount for fines for those caught on camera running red lights and stipulated that cities could keep only a portion of the fines. However, the city of Houston, which installed 50 red light cameras at intersections last fall, has reaped revenues of more than $6 million from them.
Successful government sales teams use November, December to prepare for 2008
November and December will be extremely important months for government sales teams committed to increasing revenues in 2008. SPI consultants and researchers are already hard at work helping some identify upcoming opportunities, develop capture strategy plans and prepare for 2008.
SPI is currently scheduling dates for groups interested in customized government sales workshops during November and December.
SPI's Government Sales Workshops are designed to provide participants a list of upcoming opportunities, a competitive advantage through strategy development and enhanced revenues in 2008. Each workshop is customized and can be designed to last anywhere from three hours to two days.
SPI's consultants, with a collective 300+ years of government experience, develop curriculum, participate in the sessions, assist with strategy development and provide counsel and advice.
Many firms are already booking workshops. Don't be left out - contact Reagan Weil today at 512-531-3917 or rweil@spartnerships.com.
Nacogdoches County approves security cameras
Nacogdoches County Commissioners this week approved using two grants from the Texas State Homeland Security Grant Program to pay for new security cameras at the courthouse. The county received a 2006 grant for $15,000 and a 2007 grant for $18,000.
The cameras will be placed throughout the interior and exterior of the newly renovated courthouse. County Judge Joe English (pictured) said the funding would pay for the entire cost of the new cameras.
Three miles of Galveston beaches to get facelift
A $13.5 million project to restore three miles of eroded Galveston beaches is scheduled to begin in fall 2008, according to the Texas General Land Office. The plan to create a 200-foot-wide beach west of the seawall with more than 1 million cubic feet of sand is the largest ever undertaken by the land office.
The project is an effort to slow the steady erosion of beaches that in some places is eating away the sand at a rate of 10 feet per year and threatening seaside homes. The project will be financed with $6 million from the state and $1.25 million from Galveston County, both drawing on the federal Coastal Impact Assistance Program and $5 million in state funds from the Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act.
Crismon promoted to dean of UT College of Pharmacy
Dr. M. Lynn Crismon (pictured), professor of pharmacy practice, has been appointed dean of The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, effective Nov. 1. He will replace Dr. Steven Leslie, who resigned to become UT's executive vice president and provost.
Crismon has served as associate dean for clinical programs at the College of Pharmacy since 2004 and as interim dean since January. Crismon earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy and a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He served residencies at the U.S. Public Health Service Gallup Indian Medical Center and at the San Antonio State Hospital.
Lubbock officials may combine dispatch centers
Lubbock city and county officials are interested in merging their emergency communications centers. They recently hired a consultant to evaluate the idea, agreeing to share the $54,000 fee. The research is expected to take six months.
Between the city and county, there are four dispatch centers in Lubbock. A new system that consolidates city and county call dispatchers would solve time delay problems presented by having multiple centers and would save both entities money.
Brownwood Superintendent Jones announces retirement
Dr. Susan Jones, superintendent of the Brownwood ISD, has announced her retirement, effective in June 2008. School officials have contacted the Texas Association of Superintendents to form an executive committee to begin searching for a pool of applicants. They are hopeful to have a replacement for Jones by the end of the current school year so the new superintendent will have a month to spend transitioning with Jones.
White Oak ISD facing
aging facilities problems
White Oak ISD officials have heard a preliminary report from a consultant with the Texas Association of School Administrators that the district's aging middle and high school campuses need renovation or replacement.
Although the final report will not be complete for another six weeks, officials are hopeful they will be able to upgrade and renovate the schools rather than replace them. Some portions of the middle school campus are more than 50 years old. They plan to hold a public hearing when the final report is completed so everyone in the community can hear directly from the consultant.
UTHSC San Antonio creates endowed faculty position
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has established the Lee J. Sanders Professorship in Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention at its School of Medicine.
The professorship is named in honor of one of the country's leaders in the prevention of lower-extremity amputations in diabetics. Dr. Sanders (pictured) is chief of podiatry service, acute care and specialty services at the Lebanon VA Medical Center in Lebanon, Pa.
The medical school has not yet named an individual to fill this position. The endowed faculty position will be housed within the Health Science Center's Department of Orthopedics.
Eight Texas counties
eligible for SBA assistance
Federal disaster assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration has been approved for homeowners, renters and businesses in Galveston, Jefferson, Brazoria, Chambers, Hardin, Harris, Liberty and Orange counties who suffered damages from Hurricane Humberto in September.
Low-interest rate SBA disaster loans with terms of up to 30 years will be available for qualified applicants. Homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 for their damaged residences, while renters and homeowners may borrow up to $40,000 for personal property losses. Businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow up to $1.5 million to repair or replace real estate assets, machinery and equipment, business inventory and other business assets damaged in the storm. Other funds also are available to assist with improvements aimed at preventing future disaster damage.
SPI provides opportunity identification, qualification, research throughout U.S.
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) boasts one of the finest business development research divisions in the United States. The team is known for its ability to point clients to upcoming opportunities before public announcements are made. SPI teams analyze budgets and approved funding for state agencies, cities, counties, universities and all governmental entities.
Call Reagan Weil for details at (512) 531-3900 or (512) 531-3917.
Old Galveston jail
facility has no takers
The old Galveston County jail still sits idle. County officials recently tried for the second time to find a company to operate the jail as a private facility, perhaps to hold federal or state inmates being transferred for treatment at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Looking for revenues of up to $1 million per year for lease of the facility, the county has had no takers. The former jail has been closed since last year when the county's new justice center opened. A request for proposals last month drew no bidders. Officials believe that the facility's 537 inmate capacity might be a sticking point as most private companies want a facility with more capacity.
Red River Redevelopment Authority seeks grant
After garnering support from the Bowie County commissioners, the Red River Redevelopment Authority (RRRDA) will again seek a $500,000 state Defense Economic Adjustment Advisory Group grant for its industrial and commercial park.
The Red River Commerce Park was developed by the RRRDA to create an economic development program for Bowie County from the 765 acres that were formerly part of the Red River Army Depot. Bowie County Judge James Carlow (pictured) said the RRRDA commercial park has been applying for grant funds since 1995. The funds are generally used for building improvements, insurance and land acquisition. If the grant is awarded, the authority would use the funds to extend a loop road in the park and extend a natural gas line as well. Other construction projects also would be undertaken.
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Volume 1 - 5 Archives · 11/7/03 - 10/19/07
West Orange-Cove trustees approve land purchase
West Orange-Cove Independent School District trustees on Monday approved spending $300,000 for more than 20 acres in Pinehurst as the site for a future elementary school.
Money for the construction of the new school is included in the district's bond proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot. If voters approve the proposal, construction will start as soon as bond money is available, with the goal of opening the school for the 2008-2009 year.
Abilene trustees consider technology updates
The Abilene Independent School District (AISD) trustees know that classroom technology at all its campuses needs upgrading on a continual basis, and this week they began discussing ways to pay for the critical upgrades.
A bond election is one avenue trustees explored to assure long-term funding for the district's growing technology needs. But how much money to ask voters for and when to hold the election are issues trustees agreed required further discussion.
The district's current budget includes $1.6 million for technology, a $500,000 increase over last year. However, the $500,000 has been frozen until the district can sort out an $800,000 budget shortfall. If the budget begins to balance later in the year the money can be released to purchase more current computers and continue technological upgrades, Superintendent David Polnick (pictured) told trustees.
It's not eBay, but AISD turns to auctions to sell property
Because of declining enrollment, a new middle school and additions to other campuses, the Abilene ISD has found itself with surplus portable buildings previously used for classrooms. And they're following the example of other school districts by selling them through an auction service on the Internet.
The last time the district sold portables outright, they brought a price of $2,600 each. Auctioneers have told the district that the current portables could bring between $3,000 and $10,000 or more. The auction company earns 8 percent of the sale price. School officials say if the auction goes well, they will sell more portables over the next few years as they become available and could possibly sell other surplus goods that belong to the district.
Pharr officials looking at long-range planning
Residents of the city of Pharr gathered recently to discuss possible long-range planning for the city. City Manager Fred Sandoval (pictured) noted that a consulting firm hired by the city should complete its study in another year, with the city and the city's economic development corporation sharing the $450,000 consulting fee.
Pharr is looking at the financial problems being faced by the cities of Edcouch and Elsa, where layoffs were instituted and city services curbed as a result. Pharr residents are hoping their long-range plan will help them attract new business that will increase sales and property tax revenues. Those attending the meeting listed their main concerns for the city as revitalization of the downtown area, continued economic development, more good-paying jobs and a college campus in the city.
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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.
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