| Meetings and Events | |
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings listed are held on the second floor at H-GAC's office, 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, 77027
7/6 - Geographic Data Committee, Room A, 9:30 a.m. 7/13 - Technical Advisory Committee, Room A, 9:30 a.m. 7/15 - Gulf Coast Economic Development District, Room A, 10:00 a.m. 7/19 - H-GAC Board of Directors, Room A, 10:00 a.m. 7/20 - Regional Flood Management Council, Room A, 1:30 p.m. 7/22 - Transportation Policy Council, Room A, 9:30 a.m. 7/27 - Solid Waste Management Committee, Room A, 10:00 a.m. 7/28 - Regional Air Quality Planning Committee, Room A, 2:00 p.m.
Additional meetings are listed on our website calendar. |
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Today and Tomorrow
H-GAC serves our region today and helps the region plan for tomorrow. Both of these tasks are important, especially in light of the growth in our region and the variety of its communties. This edition of Regional Focus contains several examples of H-GAC's focus on today and tomorrow.
We are working with local governments on the never-ending task of controlling illegal dumping, and working with law enforcement to reduce teen drunk driving. These are examples of our service today.
We are also helping the region and its communities plan for tomorrow. Some of those plans have recently been recognized by major professional groups and state agencies. Our livable centers plan for Tomball, which may experience substantial growth in the next few years, was recognized. The National Association of Regional Councils featured H-GAC's livable centers work along with our work to preserve forest land in our region.
Serving today and planning for tomorrow -- both are important in meeting the needs of a dynamic region.
Jack Steele
Executive Director
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| Environmental Enforcement Roundtable on July 14 |  The next Environmental Enforcement Roundtable will focus on outdoor burning and is scheduled for Thursday, July 14, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in H-GAC Conference Room A, second floor.
H-GAC hosts quarterly local enforcement roundtables to provide a forum for discussing illegal dumping issues within the H-GAC region. The group includes peace officers, county prosecutors, city officials and personnel from TCEQ's Region 12 office.
For more information, please contact Erin Livingston, Environmental Planner, at 832-681-2525.
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| Public Comments Solicited for Draft 2012-2013 Unified Planning Work Program | |
The Draft 2012-2013 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) outlines the proposed tasks and estimated costs associated with conducting the region's transportation planning and research for the next two years. H-GAC hosted a public meeting on the UPWP on Wednesday, June 29.
The 30-day public comment period for the Draft 2012-2013 UPWP began on Thursday, June 9, 2011 and extends through Monday, July 11, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Submit all written comments to Transportation Public Information, Houston-Galveston Area Council, P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777, fax to 713-993-4508, or email to PublicComments@h-gac.com.
The Draft UPWP is posted on the H-GAC Transportation web site at www.h-gac.com/taq. Any questions regarding the UPWP should be directed to Jeff Kaufman, Transportation Coordinator, at 832-681-2533.
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| Additional Census Data Released |  On May 26, the U.S. Census Bureau released additional data for the H-GAC region based on the 2010 Census. The product, called "2010 Demographic Profile," includes 23 data tables for counties and cities. The tables include detailed age/sex distribution, median age, and types of households. The data is now available on H-GAC's web site. |
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| Public Meeting Scheduled for Business FM 1960 (BF 1960) | |
H-GAC invites participation in a public meeting regarding safety and mobility improvements to BF 1960. The study area encompasses BF 1960 (old Business 1960), which runs from FM 1960 just west of Lee Road in Houston and along 1st Street in Downtown Humble to FM 1960, east of Humble.
The study has identified short-term transportation improvements and long-term solutions. Recommendations will be presented at the public meeting and feedback will be invited.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Humble Civic Center
8233 Will Clayton Parkway
Humble, TX 77338
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
H-GAC representatives will be available at this meeting to answer questions. For more information about access management, visit our website.
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| DWI Documentary - Chronicles of a Teen Killer | H-GAC and the Houston Police Department (HPD) recently commissioned and premiered Chronicles of a Teen Killer, a documentary about the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Working with Texas Pictures, a local production company, this documentary is intended to reach out to teenagers through the perspective of teenagers in order to best reach the target group.
 H-GAC, HPD and other partners will be working to have the documentary shown in high school public health classes, school assemblies, and drivers' education courses to help get the word out to teens that drinking and driving don't mix.
View Chronicles of a Teen Killer on YouTube HERE. For more information about Chronicles of a Teen Killer or to arrange for a copy to show, please contact Jeff Kaufman at 832-681-2533.
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| H-GAC Sponsors PSAP Training | |
 H-GAC is sponsoring training to educate PSAP end users on how to run MIS reports for call volume statistics, to utilize the digital map for dispatching First Responders, and to locate wireless callers to 9-1-1 on the map.
PSAP MIS Training is scheduled for July 11-22 while PSAP PowerMap Training is scheduled for July 25-29. The July 11 training will be held at H-GAC while the remaining classes will be held at various locations in the region. PSAP end users will receive additional information including registration details in the next few days.
For more information please contact Kim Ward.
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| Commute Solutions News | |
 Transportation's Commute Solutions group is holding a My Solution Is... Press Conference on Thursday, July 21, at10:30 a.m. at 3 Greenway Plaza. Commute Solutions provides advice, answers and assistance on commuting options and employee transportation programs. For information contact Ch'rese Jackson.
The 2011 Clean Air Action "Best in Motion" Leadership Awards Luncheon will be held on August 30 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Americas Hotel. For information contact Ch'rese Jackson.
H-GAC's Commute Solutions Program recently received the EPA's Clean Air Excellence Award in the category of Public Outreach and Education. The program was selected for its success in increasing public awareness about the importance of clean air and improving access to information on clean air issues.
Pictured are Transportation Planning Director Alan Clark, Executive Director Jack Steele, Transportation Program Manager Shelley Whitworth, and Montgomery County Commissioner Craig Doyal, Chair of H-GAC's Board of Directors. |
| Tomball Livable Centers Downtown Plan Wins Merit Award |  The Texas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has awarded the Tomball Livable Centers Downtown Plan its Merit Award. The Tomball Livable Centers Downtown Plan was one of only 25 chosen to receive the award.
The Tomball Livable Centers Downtown Plan is a partnership between H-GAC and the City of Tomball for developing Livable Centers design recommendations, infrastructure improvements, and urban design solutions for downtown Tomball. The Livable Centers Plan is intended to develop the downtown public realm to preserve, promote and enhance the Tomball "sense of place" as the identifiable physical, social and cultural heart of Tomball. |
| Regional Projects Receive Lone Star Land Steward Awards |  Two projects in the H-GAC region have been honored with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Lone Star Land Steward Awards. The annual awards recognize and honor public and private landowners for their accomplishments in habitat management and wildlife conservation.
Award recipients include the Colorado County Wildlife Management Association and the Cary Dietzmann family ranch in Austin and Colorado counties. |
| Do You Have A Disaster Debris Clearance and Removal Contract in Place? |  Recognizing the need for communities to perform efficient and timely cleanup of debris generated by natural disasters, H-GAC has developed the Disaster Debris Clearance and Removal Services Program. By having pre-event debris hauler contracts in place, cleanup can be quicker and less costly.
Procuring reputable and experienced firms can be challenging. H-GAC's Disaster Debris Clearance and Removal Services Program has simplified the process and ensures access to a pool of "most qualified debris removal contractors." H-GAC has handled all the procurement issues. The program can save time and money associated with the procurement process and can help maximize eligible FEMA reimbursement.
To learn how to participate in the program, contact Cheryl Mergo, Sustainable Development Program Manager, or visit the website.
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| HGACBuy Offers Emergency Interlocal Contract Option | |
The HGACBuy website has been updated with the Emergency Interlocal Contract Information. The Emergency ILC may be used for 90 days and will grant the potential end user access to the entire list of contracts available through the HGACBuy Program. |
| Sign Up to Cost-Share 2012 Aerial Imagery | |
H-GAC's Data Services GIS group recently opened up the 2012 Aerial Imagery website for cost-share participation. H-GAC acquires aerial imagery on a bi-annual basis and has collected over 7,500 square miles of imagery in the past through a money saving, cost-sharing program. The more participants who cost-share, the lower the overall cost per participant.
Aerial coverage has included the urban counties in past years but we would like to expand our cost-share coverage to all counties for this cycle.
Please click to access our cost-share participant webpage where you can sign up with no obligation to purchase at this time.
For more information, please contact Robert LaBarbera at 713-993-4519.
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| Texas Stream Team and H-GAC Present 2011 Meeting of the Monitors |  Texas Stream Team is partnering with H-GAC to hold the 2011 Meeting of the Monitors from September 29 to October 1 at the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake.
This is an opportunity to participate in hands-on citizen scientist workshops; and hear presentations on topics such as water quality in Texas, solutions for urbanizing areas, and volunteer coordination.
More information is available online. |
| Workforce Solutions Hosts Job Fairs |
 Workforce Solutions is presenting an Education Industry Job Fair on Friday, July 15 at the United Way Building for all teachers and other personnel in school districts who have lost their jobs. Workforce Solutions is hosting a Virtual Job Fair for the aerospace industry that will run from July 18 through July 29. Employers wishing to participate should contact the Aerospace Transition Center at 281-956-5678 or click here to register. Employers will have virtual space for unlimited job postings, a company logo, and a business profile. Employers will be able to search resumes submitted by all job seekers that register. There is no charge to employers or to job seekers to participate. |
| Workforce Solutions News |
Many services are available through Workforce Solutions offices located throughout the region. Visit the Workforce Solutions website for more information. Financial Assistance for Child Care and Job Training Due to current cutbacks in federal funding, new financial assistance for child care and job training is on hold. Wait lists have been established for those individuals who may qualify for this assistance once it becomes available in the future. To qualify and be put on the Financial Assistance for Child Care wait list, click here. Individuals interested in job training assistance need to visit a Workforce Solutions career office and speak with a financial aid specialist to see if they qualify. If they do, they will be put on the Scholarship Registry wait list and contacted once funds become available again. Assistance is provided on a first come, first serve basis. To locate a career center nearby, click here. Job Search Seminars
Workforce Solutions provides free Job Search seminars at various community locations around the region. To view a current calendar of these events click here. For any group or organization wishing to schedule a seminar, contact Norma Bonica at norma.bonica@wrksolutions.com. |
| Loan Programs Available through H-GAC | |
H-GAC currently manages a suite of business loan programs including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Small Business Administration 504, and the Economic Development Administration Revolving Loan Fund.
 The Drayage Loan Program helps short haul trucking companies/owner-operators purchase fuel-efficient and cleaner running trucks. For more information, please visit www.hgacdrayageloan.com. Marco Bracamontes, Transportation's Public Outreach Manager, was recently interviewed by Telemundo to discuss the Drayage Loan Program. Click here to view.  The SBA 504 Loan Program provides long-term business expansion financing for real estate, construction, and equipment purchases. Additional information is available online at www.h-gac.com/go/sba.  The EDA Revolving Loan Fund assists businesses impacted by Hurricane Ike. Visit www.gcedd.org for more information. Anyone interested in applying for a loan or getting more information should contact Paula Bowden at 832-681-2512 for the Drayage Loan Program, Devin Holum for the SBA 504 Loan Program at 832-681-2592, or contact Stephanie Ellis at 877-354-4264 for the EDA Revolving Loan Fund. |
| About H-GAC | |
H-GAC Board of Directors Meetings The agenda and attachments for the Board of Directors meetings are posted on our website the week before each meeting. Board meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month on the second floor at 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, Texas 77027.
H-GAC Newsletters
H-GAC now publishes four electronic newsletters. In addition to this Regional Focus, we offer Community and Environmental Update, The Vision (transportation news), and Procurement Made Simple (HGACBuy). You can subscribe to any of them by clicking on the link at the bottom of this email to update your profile.
H-GAC on Facebook
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