The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that $3 billion funding is available to replace old water distribution pipelines to ensure safe public drinking water throughout the U.S.

Congress allocated the revenue to protect citizens from the harmful effects of lead-infested water on public health. Lead contaminants are all too common when pipelines are old and nearing their anticipated lifespan. Even a small amount of lead can negatively impact brain development in children, and repeated small doses of lead are dangerous to people of any age.

The funding currently available through the EPA's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program mandates that the funding be sent to state officials, who are then required to pass it on to local officials at the city and county levels of government. Cities around the world are replacing lead-infested water pipes to ensure their citizens have access to clean and safe water. Even before federal funding became available and mandates were issued, many cities took the initiative to address aging pipeline issues and the dangers associated with lead contamination.

Health concerns related to lead have been evident for quite some time. According to a recent survey, about 9 million lead water pipelines in the U.S. must be replaced. The law allocated $15 billion to replace these old water distribution pipelines, and that funding will continue to be available over the next several years. Funding is made available to states based on the number of lead service lines needed to be replaced, priority timelines and more. Government officials in high-priority areas are encouraged to act quickly to remove and replace old water distribution pipelines.

Although the data is controversial, one recent survey lists Florida as the state with the highest number of contaminated water pipelines. Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Texas trail close behind though when it comes to critical water concerns.

The state of Florida received $229 million for water pipe replacement projects recently. Although Florida and Illinois have been charged with having similar per capita numbers of lead pipes, a dispute has been noted. The city of Tampa will present the findings of its survey of lead-contaminated pipelines that need replacement to the EPA in October of this year, and the outcome of that review will determine how city leaders proceed with replacement projects.

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San Antonio, Dallas County and Austin have won Smart Cities North America Awards for innovative and groundbreaking programs that promote sustainable living, greater connectivity and better public health.

The International Data Corp. (IDC) created the awards in 2017 to celebrate municipalities that implement emerging technologies and innovative electronic solutions to digitally transform and modernize urban environments. Smart cities leverage cutting-edge technologies and data collection to modernize urban areas, ultimately integrating electronic methods to improve quality of life.

San Antonio was chosen for its Smarter Together Initiative, an administrative program to connect city residents, improve safety and collaborate with local communities. The initiative is designed to create accessibility between residents and city services, connect communities and the local government, enhance city service efficiency, foster information transparency and keep communities safe.

Dallas County won an award for its Health and Human Services Disease Surveillance and Investigation System. The system was designed in response to the gaps revealed in the public health disease surveillance and investigation infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides an adaptable scalable solution to improving long-term preparedness and addressing future threats.

In practice, the system provided Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) with real-time data to monitor disease trends and inform policy decision-making. The system has also been effective at responding to and managing disease outbreaks beyond COVID-19.

Austin was selected for Whisper Valley, the largest sustainable community in the nation. The 2,067-acre community uses energy-efficient technology to reduce its carbon footprint. Development is entirely composed of zero-energy capable homes that run on a geothermal energy supply system that replaces traditional HVAC systems. The community also integrates solar panels, high efficiency appliances and smart home technology to create efficient, green homes.

(Photo courtesy of the city of San Antonio.)

The University of Texas System Board of Regents unanimously named Julie Philley, M.D., president of UT Tyler on May 9. Dr. Philley was unanimously selected as a presidential finalist by the Board of Regents in March.

Dr. Philley currently serves as UT Tyler’s executive vice president for health affairs and vice provost. She has been with the university for 12 years, starting as an assistant professor of medicine and serving in various roles since.

Dr. Philley played a critical role in launching UT Tyler’s School of Medicine, the UT System’s seventh medical school. Her tenure as president will officially begin June 1, 2024. She will take over responsibilities from Kirk Calhoun, M.D., following his retirement May 31.

As president, Dr. Philley will oversee more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs with almost 10,000 students in attendance. UT Tyler has four campuses located in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced a second Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), with $420 million available for innovations in open radio units for 5G and 6G cellular networks, as well as commercializing the findings.

The $1.5 billion Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund is intended to develop these units, crucial components atop cell phone towers for transmitting and receiving signals. Those units are the largest and most expensive segment of carrier networks. Increasing the availability of open radio units, both domestically and internationally, is key to encouraging adoption of open networks.

Click here for more information about the open network NOFO

(Photo courtesy of Igor on Unsplash.)

The American Planning Association’s Texas chapter has recognized South Main Street and Dallas Road in the town of Grapevine as a Great Place in Texas for 2023.

The award is a part of the American Planning Association’s (APA) spin off the Great Places in America program, which recognizes neighborhoods, streets and public spaces that make for stronger communities.

As the oldest settlement in Tarrant County, Grapevine has thrived because of its close connectivity to nearby highways and railroad tracks. South Main Street and Dallas Road have provided critical social and business hubs for the community for years.

The streets foster a lively and active community, enhancing the lives of Grapevine residents through quality urban planning and design, historic preservation, placemaking and enhancing economic vitality. All these factors infuse Grapevine’s cultural identity without losing its small-town feel.

The list of street recipients for Great Places in Texas includes:

• Oak Street, Roanoke.
• West Magnolia Avenue, Fort Worth.
• Fredericksburg’s Main Street.
• South El Paso Street.
• The Strand, Galveston.
• Boerne’s Hill Country Mile.

This Great Places award honors community support for local planning efforts. The city’s Planning Division oversees long-term projects, zoning and development requests, all in conjunction with stakeholders and regulations.

Grapevine is not the only city to receive a Great Place in Texas accolade this year. The Texarkana Federal Courthouse and Post Office received a similar designation for its historic significance and appeal. The 91-year-old courthouse was recently revitalized and rehabilitated to better serve the community, focusing on pedestrian and vehicle safety, preserving history and enhancing the courthouse area.

Click here to see a video about Grapevine’s honor

(Photo courtesy of the city of Grapevine.)

Sara Hensley

City Manager

City of Denton

Public career highlights and education: I have an undergraduate and master's degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, both in education. My career spans 25-plus years working in large cities: Virginia Beach, San Jose, Phoenix, Austin and now in Denton. I've been a department head, a super department head and interim assistant city manager.

When I came to Denton, I was an assistant city manager. I later became deputy city manager, then interim city manager for over two years. I love public service and city government. It's a passion.

What I like best about my public service: You’re never bored, and there's never the same issue every day. You're answering to an elected body, but you're also responding and answering to the public: Getting out in the community, being in meetings with different groups, working with the school district, the two universities, developing relationships.

The best advice I ever received: Be yourself. Be who you are. Be truthful, communicative and forward-thinking. Also, never run away from something, run toward something.

People might be interested to know that: I have twin sons, both raised in Texas. One goes to the University of Arkansas. I'm proud of that. The other one is an Aggie from Texas A&M.

I also served in the Air Force reserves. I was there for two years. It was probably one of the most impactful times in my life.

One thing I wish more people knew about the city of Denton is: Don't judge every city the same. Too often people look at the federal and state government, and when it comes to their city they look at what their government is not doing.

And I think too often people go, “Oh, that's just government for you.” And that's just not the case. Most city managers really are trying to do the right thing. If you're concerned about your city government, get involved, help make the change that you want to see.

Bill brings over four decades of experience in higher education to his role on the SPI Team. He most recently served as President of Tarrant County College’s Southeast Campus from 2012 to 2024. Before this, he was Executive Director of Academic Partnerships and Initiatives and Vice President of Instruction at Lone Star College-Kingwood. His career began at Dallas College in 1984.

His influence extends beyond academia into the Tarrant County community, where he’s been actively involved in various capacities, including service on boards such as the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Arlington Mayor’s Education Coalition, and the Fort Worth Mayor’s Council on Education and Workforce Development. His commitment to initiatives like the Tarrant To & Through (T3) Partnership highlights his dedication to advancing education and community well-being.

Bill is a prominent leader at state and national levels. He serves as Vice-Chair of Campus Compact and board member of organizations like NACTC. He played a vital role in constructing various educational facilities, including a satellite campus and Early College High Schools. Tarrant County College’s Southeast Campus underwent significant expansion and modernization under his leadership as president.

Bill has won several awards for his contributions, including the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Southwest Education Partner Award and the Jesse Jones Leadership Award from the North Texas Community College Consortium. He was also honored with the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award from Phi Theta Kappa (PTK).

Bill’s academic journey is marked by a commitment to lifelong learning, holding a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, an M.Ed. from the University of North Texas, and a B.A. in Telecommunications from Michigan State University.

Helen Kent Davis is the founder and principal of HKD and Associates, a health care consultancy that provides policy analysis and strategies to help clients promote more accessible, equitable, and cost-effective health care. Among the issues on which she has expertise are Texas Medicaid and the state’s health care safety net, public and private health care coverage, primary care, rural health, and women’s, perinatal, and children’s health.

Helen spent more than three decades at the Texas Medical Association (TMA), where her most recent role was serving as the associate vice president of governmental affairs. At TMA, she earned a trusted reputation for her expertise, savvy understanding of Texas’ policy-making process, and ability to develop effective partnerships, working with various organizations to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.

In 2023, the Texas House of Representatives commended Helen for making a “meaningful difference in the lives of countless Texans through her compassionate leadership, collaborative spirit, and commitment to serving those in need.” Moreover, throughout her career, the Texas Pediatric Society has recognized Helen twice for her work in improving children’s health. Away from work, she loves spending time with her husband, son, and two dogs, swimming at Barton Springs, gardening, and traveling.

The Houston City Council has appointed four to serve on the Houston First Board of Directors. The appointees are Wea H. Lee, Nicki Keenan, Shareen Larmond and Roxann Neumann. Houston First is responsible for developing and improving the city’s destination brand strategy, worldwide promotion, tourism and convention industry, facility operation, community events and collaboration with partners.

With the appointments, the board now has a majority of women and includes the first person of Chinese descent to serve. All four have terms that expire Dec. 31, 2026.

Wea H. Lee currently serves as chairman of a Houston news group. Lee presides over a national and international media business ranging from print to internet services. He brings more than 45 years of experience to the board.

Nicki Keenan is a senior vice president of sales, responsible for leading strategic sales and marketing for an entertainment company. Keenan brings more than 25 years of business acumen to the role. She was named one of the Top 25 Business Women in Houston by the National Diversity Council in 2014.

Shareen Larmond is the current president of a maritime trade association in Houston. Larmond oversees company management and is responsible for creating long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies. Before holding her position as president, Larmond served as a legislative aid and general counsel to former Sen. John Whitmire.

Roxann Neumann is the senior vice president of corporate affairs for a beverage distribution company. She serves as a leader for several other organizations, including Texan by Nature, Discovery Green Conservancy, American Leadership Forum and Greater Houston Community Foundation Philanthropic Impact Committee.

The city of San Antonio will use $22.9 million to repair roadways, protect pedestrians and enhance drainage systems. The projects are a part of the San Antonio 2022-2027 bond program. All projects are currently in the design phase, and construction is expected to be completed by 2027.

The city will spend $10.3 million to reconstruct roadways and improve drainage on Classen Road. The current road has extensive wear and tear, minimal curbs and sidewalks, a low water crossing, two lanes and no bike facilities. The city will expand the road to four travel lanes with a center-turn lane.

Plans include building sidewalks, curbs, driveway approaches, bicycle facilities and shared use paths. The city will also install a multi-box drainage culvert and an underground drainage system. Construction will begin in winter 2026.

San Antonio will spend an additional $6.6 million to improve roadway and drainage infrastructure for Phase 2 of the North New Braunfels Avenue project. The road is old with deteriorating pavement, broken sidewalks, limited pedestrian crossings and is not ADA compliant.

Plans include building and repairing sidewalks, driveways, drainage and a mid-block crossing. In addition, the city will install a dedicated left-turn lane and turnaround near the crossing. Construction will begin in winter 2024.

The city will use $5.1 million to improve pedestrian infrastructure, roadways and traffic signals for the second phase of the Southcross Boulevard project. The road currently has extensive surface crack failures, is non-ADA compliant and has unsafe pathways for pedestrians.

The city will install crosswalk markings, resurface and restripe roadways and install replacement traffic signals. In addition, the city will build ADA compliant sidewalks, curbs, ramps and driveway approaches. Construction will begin in fall 2025.

(Photo courtesy of the city of San Antonio.)

Harris County will receive $9.6 million in federal funding to develop a drainage master plan that will evaluate infrastructure capacity and deficiencies.

The master plan will prioritize roadways in unincorporated areas in Harris County. These areas have undergone extensive road and land development in recent decades, leaving them prone to flooding. Enacting the master plan will provide Harris County with the tools needed to address insufficient drainage infrastructure and modernize roadways.

Harris County has experienced six flooding disasters since 2015, causing billions in damage. County officials are targeting these vulnerable areas to accommodate future growth and to proactively mitigate future flooding.

The funding was made available through grants administered by the U.S Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) program. USDOT will deliver nearly $830 million for 80 projects nationwide.

The program funds projects to make transportation infrastructure more resilient to future weather events and other natural disasters by focusing on planning, improvements to existing transportation assets and evacuation routes, and addressing at-risk highway infrastructure.

(Photo courtesy of the National Weather Service.)

As motorcyclist deaths rise across the state, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is taking steps to protect riders by improving guardrail design.

In 2023, almost 600 motorcyclists were killed in crashes, with four times that number of riders experiencing serious injury. Motorcycles are much more difficult to notice, and they provide significantly less protection than typical motor vehicles. These factors are among several that have led to an increase in motorcycle deaths every year since 2020.

One of the leading causes of death and injury can be attributed to guardrails. Although guardrails provide a significant level of safety for larger vehicles, they increase the level of danger for motorcyclists. To mitigate the risk of harm to riders, TxDOT designed a guardrail that will provide an extra measure of safety for both cars and motorcyclists.

TxDOT, in partnership with Texas A&M, recently completed a five-year project to determine what guardrail components were the most significant when it came to severe and fatal motorcyclist injuries. The project began after researchers determined there was a correlation between the number of riders and barrier-related motorcycle deaths. Essentially, statistics show that there are more fatal motorcycle crashes than car crashes when it comes to guardrails.

The new guardrail design will retrofit existing guardrails to provide greater protection during crashes. The design has two main components: a protective cap and rub rail. The protective cap can be placed over the top of the guardrail to eliminate sharp edges. The rub rail is placed along the bottom to prevent riders from hitting a post or sliding into another hazard past the rail.

The updated design makes it more likely for motorcyclists to slide along the top or side of the rail, mitigating the risk of severe blunt force trauma, lacerations or spinal damage. TxDOT plans to deploy the solution in areas with above-average motorcycle traffic, areas with a history of roadside motorcycle crashes and areas prone to accidents. The rub rail standard will be released later in 2024.

This solution comes at a time when fatal construction zone crashes are rising in Texas. Between 2017 and 2021, Texas had 582 fatal crashes within construction zones out of 17,549 crashes, accounting for 3.3% of all accidents during that period. This figure is more than double the national average of 1.3%.

Contributing factors in construction zones include narrowed lanes, congested traffic and uneven pavement, making them more accident-prone. Despite variations across states – such as driver skills and worker safety precautions – negligent traffic control and confusing lane markings during construction and maintenance can also cause serious or fatal injuries.

(Photo: A dummy testing the new rail design. Courtesy of TxDOT.)

Audit Manager/Austin, TX

DEPARTMENT: CHIEF AUDITOR’S OFFICE

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking an Audit Manager in its Chief Auditor’s Office. The Texas DPS (Department) Chief Auditor's Office is a progressive and innovative internal audit shop that provides independent and objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve DPS operations. The successful candidate will participate in the strategic direction of the audit activity, oversee audits and advisory engagements, and assist in training and mentoring staff within our office. We are seeking skilled Audit professional who has a desire for continuous learning and innovation and are looking to grow their career while supporting the Department's mission to protect and serve the citizens of Texas!

The Texas Department of Public Safety is committed to the recruitment and promotion of a character-driven, competent, productive, and diverse workforce. Please see our competitive benefits: Texas Department of Public Safety Careers | Department of Public Safety.

Click here for a full job description and application details.

CLOSING DATE: May 10, 2024

Assistant Audit Manager/Austin, TX

DEPARTMENT: CHIEF AUDITOR’S OFFICE

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking an Assistant Audit Manager in its Chief Auditor’s Office. The Texas DPS (Department) Chief Auditor's Office is a progressive and innovative internal audit shop that provides independent and objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve DPS operations. The successful candidate will participate in the strategic direction of the audit activity, oversee audits and advisory engagements, and assist in training and mentoring staff within our office. We are seeking skilled Audit professional who possesses a desire for continuous learning and innovation and are looking to grow their career while supporting the Department's mission to protect and serve the citizens of Texas!

Click here for a full job description and application details.

Austin Parks and Recreation director Kimberly McNeeley submitted her resignation earlier this month. She will continue to serve the city until the end of May, leaving the department at the beginning of June.

McNeeley served the city of Austin in various roles for the past 14 years. She worked as a lifeguard before becoming the assistant director of the parks department in 2010. In 2019, McNeeley took over as interim director before stepping into non-interim duties.

During her time as director, she oversaw the protection and maintenance of Austin’s parkland and urban forestry, including the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Barton Springs Pool and Zilker Metropolitan Park.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a preliminary roster of 10 possible National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) to help expand the electric grid while making it more reliable.

The corridors were identified to fast-track the development of projects in regions with pressing demands for more transmission capacity.

Click here for the full list of corridors

(Photo courtesy of the EPA.)

Work is more than halfway complete at the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Los Angeles, which is designed to reverse mountain lion inbreeding and set to be the world’s largest when it opens in 2026. The milestone was reached after 82 concrete beams were placed over U.S. Highway 101 at Liberty Canyon Road in Agoura Hill.

Wildlife crossings play a pivotal role in creating a network of interconnected preserved lands and water bodies, essential for safeguarding biodiversity while continuing to provide transportation infrastructure. This sort of habitat connectivity is a central part of California’s 30×30 conservation objectives of preserving 30% of state lands and coastal waters by 2030.

Click here to learn more about the record-breaking wildlife crossing project

(Photo courtesy of the Annenberg Foundation.)

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Michelin Mobility Intelligence (MMI) have joined forces to offer grants to three states for traffic safety data gathering and analysis.

California, Minnesota and Washington will each gather a more up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of traffic safety issues, their root causes and possible solutions.

Click here to learn more the traffic safety data studies

(Photo courtesy of Tony Webster.)

After serving as interim director since September 2023, Fort Worth officially promoted Cody Whittenburg, Ph.D., to permanent director of the Environmental Services Department. Dr. Whittenburg previously served as assistant director of the city’s Code Compliance Department. He brings 22 years of government environmental experience to the role.

Arcola residents voted May 4 for Veeda Williams as mayor. Williams replaced Fred Burton following his six-year tenure. She has served as an educator, an Air Force veteran and founded a nonprofit to help Arcola youth.

Brownsville has officially promoted Doroteo Garcia Jr. to assistant city manager. Garcia previously was director of engineering and public works for the city. He has worked with the city for nearly 22 years, holding various engineering positions.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced these appointments and reappointments from May 3 through May 9:

Texas Funeral Service Commission

Kristin Tips - San Antonio

Lavaca-Navidad River Authority

Jerry Adelman - Palacios

OneStar National Service Commission

Karin Morris - Highland Village

Texas Diabetes Council

Michael Kelly, Ph.D., - El Paso

Ninth Court Of Appeals

Kent Chambers - Willis

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Luke Schwartz - Tyler

University Student Regents

Cage Sawyers - Texas A&M University System

Taylor Getwood - Texas Southern University

Olivia Discon - Texas State University System

Jad Zeitouni - Texas Tech University System

Maya Landgrebe - Texas Woman's University

Tomas Bryan - University of Houston System

Ethan Gillis - University of North Texas System

Anthony Dragun - University of Texas System

Texas Government Insider is a free weekly newsletter detailing important happenings throughout the state and summarizing current political issues relevant to individuals interested in government.

Publisher: Mary Scott Nabers

Editors:

Adam Rollins

Dave Doolittle