Houston-Galveston Area Council Newsletter        January 2020
December Board of Directors Meeting
During the Dec. 17 board of directors meeting, the board considered and approved several items of regional significance including approval of the proposed H-GAC 2020 budget and service plan. The board voted to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County to fund additional assessments, up to eight additional public transit agencies for the Regional Transit Seamless Fare System. The board also recognized outgoing members Jerry Davis, Floyd Emery, Jim Yarbrough, and Trish Pollard for their service to the H-GAC and the region. All other agenda items were approved by unanimous vote.

The next board of directors meeting is January 21, 2020 at 10 a.m. at the Houston-Galveston Area Council located at 3555 Timmons Lane in Houston. For more information on H-GAC's Board of Directors, past meeting agendas or minutes, or to find dates for future meetings ,  visit H-GAC's website.
Submit WISE Awards Application Online Beginning January 6
WISE Awards logo with water droplet styled to resemble an owl
H-GAC will accept Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards applications from Monday, January 6, through Thursday, February 6.
 
The WISE Awards are a new initiative honoring innovative strategies and projects in the Houston-Galveston region that serve as models for improving water quality in four categories: Planning and Policy; Education and Public Awareness; Built Project (Greater than $500k); and Built Project (Less than $500k). Winning projects must exhibit efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation.
 
For more information, visit www.h-gac.com/go/wise or e-mail Kathy Janhsen .
The Census 2020: What You Need to Know
There are so many ways, big and small, for you to help the 2020 Census.

Take a moment and get the facts about the 2020 Census and what it can mean for your community. Review the basics  or take a deeper dive into all of the work it takes to  conduct the 2020 count .
Transportation Brown Bag Lunch Series 2020: Save the Dates
As we enter the new year, we have prepared a new line up of guest speakers for the 2020 Transportation Brown Bag Lunch Series. Bring your lunch and enjoy a special presentation!

Brown Bag Lunch Series Dates:

  • Monday, February 24, 2020
  • Monday, April 13, 2020
  • Monday, June 15, 2020
  • Monday, August 17, 2020
  • Monday, October 19, 2020

Each luncheon will be held at H-GAC in Conference Room B, 2nd Floor from noon to 1 p.m.

More information on the 2020 presenters and presentations to come.
Parks and Natural Areas Summit and Awards Ceremony - February 14
Save the date for the  Parks and Natural Areas Summit and Awards Ceremony  from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 14, 2020, at H-GAC in Conference Room B, 2nd Floor. The summit will include presentations on topics and trends related to parks and natural areas.

The event will also include the annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards recognition ceremony. These projects serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. Projects will be honored in three categories: Planning Process, On-the-Ground Projects Over $500,000, and On-the-Ground Projects Under $500,000. 

Online registration  is requested. For more information, contact  Andrea Tantillo .
Text to 9-1-1: Call if You Can, Text if You Can't
The t ext to 9-1-1 service , managed by the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Gulf Coast Regional Emergency Communications District, is available in the Gulf Coast 9-1-1 eight-county region of Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Liberty, Matagorda, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties.

All four major cell phone companies, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, offer this service to their wireless customers. Text to 911 should only be used in an emergency and in circumstances when you cannot safely call 9-1-1.

For more information, visit gulfcoast911.org . 
H-GAC is Hiring!
Home to more than 7 million people, the Houston-Galveston region is one of the fastest-growing and most diverse regions in the country. Making sure the region remains one of the nation’s leading places to live, work, and prosper doesn’t just happen—it takes planning and partnerships. If you are looking for a career where you can help make a difference in urban, suburban, and rural communities, the Houston-Galveston Area Council has exciting opportunities for you. For more information or to apply for a job visit the careers page on H-GAC's website .
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