Houston-Galveston Area Council Newsletter    August 2022
July Board of Directors Meeting
At its meeting on Tuesday, July 19, the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Board of Directors approved several items of regional significance.

The board unanimously approved a new Livable Centers study for Pasadena, additional funding for continued targeted bacteria monitoring of several waterways in the region - including Little White Oak Bayou, Pine Gully, Berry Bayou, Plum Creek, Country Club Bayou, and a tributary of Buffalo Bayou - and it approved data collection and analytics agreements to analyze traffic volume and monitor vehicle emissions' impact on air quality for the region.

Additionally, the board approved new goals for participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises over the next three fiscal years. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (or DBEs) are for-profit small businesses at least 51% owned, managed, or controlled by minorities, women, or other historically disadvantaged groups. Transportation agencies that receive federal funds are required to set goals to ensure DBEs have a reasonable opportunity to participate in federally assisted program contracts. H-GAC has set a goal of 25% DBE participation in its transportation procurement and contract opportunities from fiscal year 2023-2025.

Next, the board approved the use of more than $4.7 million of additional funds received by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for the Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging to expand its nutrition, transportation, and other direct services to more seniors and disabled residents in the region.

Towards the end of the meeting, the board approved new appointments to the Aging and Disability Advisory Committee, Area Emission Reduction Organization, Gulf Coast Economic Development District, Natural Resources Advisory Committee, the Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation, Regional Flood Management Committee, and Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Council.
Next Board Meeting: Tuesday, Aug. 16

The next board meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16. If there are any scheduling or location updates to this meeting, we will notify the public immediately. For more information on H-GAC's Board of Directors, past meeting agendas or minutes, or to find dates for future meetings, visit the Board of Directors website.
H-GAC Program Spotlight: Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation
At its July meeting, the Board of Directors listened to a spotlight presentation about small business financing by the Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation.

The Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation (H-GALDC) is an SBA-certified enterprise program dedicated to helping small businesses in the region launch and grow. It offers various loan opportunities for small businesses to use on capital projects and other expenses. Typically, loans provided are fixed-rate and lower interest than at other financing institutions. Examples of small businesses aided by the local development corporation in the past run the gamut from restaurants and hotels to medical offices and daycare centers.
The team members of the H-GAC Public Services Department, which operates the Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation, with their National Association of Regional Councils award
Recently, the H-GAC Public Services Department, which the H-GALDC falls under, was awarded the 2022 Major Metro Award by the National Association of Regional Councils in recognition of its small business assistance efforts during the pandemic and beyond. The local development corporation also launched earlier this year a revolving loan program in partnership with Fort Bend County to help small businesses in the county grow and become more resilient to economic disruptions. Special efforts were taken to encourage minority-owned businesses in the county to apply for the program.

If your organization is interested in learning more about the local development corporation, visit HGALDC.com or contact Omar Fortune or Isaac Perez.
Program Contacts
Omar Fortune

Title: Senior Manager
Contact Email: omar.fortune@h-gac.com
Contact Phone: 713-993-2409
Isaac Perez

Title: Senior Business Development Coordinator
Contact Email: isaac.perez@h-gac.com
Contact Phone: 832-681-2654
Experts and Stakeholders Discuss Challenges, Opportunities of Missing Middle Housing at Event Hosted by H-GAC
Housing experts and stakeholders throughout the region came together to share ideas on how to address the gaps in missing middle housing at a peer exchange event, "Missing Middle Housing: A Regional Conversation," hosted by H-GAC on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

Missing middle housing refers to house-scale buildings with multiple units that fill the housing gap between single-family homes and large apartment complexes. Participants were first shown a presentation about the current state of housing in our region and where middle housing currently fits. They then participated in a facilitated discussion on the opportunities and challenges in filling the gaps.
There's Still Time to RSVP for H-GAC's First-Ever City Managers Summit on Friday, Aug. 12
H-GAC invites city managers from across the region to our first-ever City Managers Summit (on behalf of Texas City Management Association Region 6) to be hosted on Friday, Aug. 12 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the second floor conference rooms at the H-GAC office at 3555 Timmons Lane.

H-GAC staff will introduce programs relevant to the needs of cities in our region and discuss services that are offered, informational resources, and funding opportunities. Bring your appetites and your questions, as we welcome a lively discussion from the operational perspective of city governments.

Lunch will be provided courtesy of Bleyl Engineering. Please email Cynthia Jones to RSVP.
Montgomery County Precinct 2 Mobility Study Public Comment Period Remains Open until Friday, Aug. 19
H-GAC recently presented the findings from a study to analyze mobility issues and recommend improvements to safety and overall mobility for people, goods, and services in Montgomery County Precinct 2 at a public meeting on Thursday, Aug. 4. Though the meeting has passed, the public comment period remains open until Friday, Aug. 19.

Residents and stakeholders may submit comments by email to PublicComments@h-gac.com, by phone to 1-855-363-2516, or by mail to: "Montgomery County Precinct 2 Mobility Study", P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777

For more information about the Montgomery County Precinct 2 mobility study, visit engage.h-gac.com.
2022 Draft Performance Measures Scorecards Now Available for Public Comment
H-GAC has released the draft 2022 Transportation Performance Measures scorecards, evaluating the region's progress in meeting key goals for improved performance of our transportation system related to travel reliability, congestion, and air quality.

Members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments about the 2022 Transportation Performance Measures scorecards now through Sunday, Aug. 14. Residents and stakeholders may submit their comments using any of the following methods:

  • Complete our online public comment form
  • Comment by phone at 1-855-363-2516
  • Email public comments to Performance@h-gac.com (enter "H-GAC Transportation Performance Measures Comments" into the subject line)
  • Mail comments to "Attention: H-GAC Transportation Performance Measures Comments," P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777

View the scorecards and learn more at h-gac.com/transportation-performance-measures/scorecard.
We're Approaching the Peak of Hurricane Season. Are You Prepared?
We are approaching the peak of hurricane season. If you have not already, now is the time to prepare.

Residents who live in an evacuation zone are encouraged to visit our hurricane evacuation planning page for this year's zip zone maps and important tips to help develop their evacuation plan.

Visit TogetherAgainstTheWeather.com for tool kits and strategies on preparing your home and family for a hurricane or severe storm. The page also contains helpful materials for those caring for small children, individuals with disabilities or special needs, and those with health conditions.
Save the Date for Houston Area GIS Day on Wednesday, Nov. 16
Take your professional and academic growth in GIS to the next level. Hear from and connect with GeoSpatial Pros who are ready to share their projects, technologies, and experience.

Save the date for the 2022 Houston Area GIS Day on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the University of Houston – Clear Lake campus. This year’s activities include:

  • Live educational presentations for students
  • Live geospatial presentations for professionals 
  • College and university GIS program exhibitors
  • Geospatial exhibitors and vendors 
  • Student GIS activities and games
  • Professional map contests

Registration page and more event details are coming soon. If you have questions ahead of time, feel free to contact us at houstonareagisdayorg@gmail.com or sign up to volunteer. We can’t wait to see you in person once again in November!
Fox 26 Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan Witnesses Tow and Go in Action
Fox 26 consumer reporter Heather Sullivan got to see Tow and Go service drivers in action as part of her news story. Due in part to inflation and record-setting heat, the region has seen an uptick in drivers suffering mechanical issues, flat tires, and running out of gas on the roads.

David Fink, safety and regional incident management program manager at H-GAC, and Harris County Sheriff's Department Lt. Cedrick Collier shared tips with Sullivan for drivers to help prevent a vehicle breakdown and costly repairs. Check out the story here or click on the video above.

If you find yourself stranded on our region's freeways due to a flat tire or mechanical failure, call Tow and Go at 713-881-3333 for a free tow to the nearest exit. Learn more at towandgo.com.
Get Ready for Commute Solutions Month in September
Mark your calendars for Commute Solutions Month in September! This year’s region-wide celebration will highlight companies, agencies, universities, and others in the eight-county transportation management area who are doing great work to improve travel for their commuters as well as decrease congestion and improve air quality in the region. Stay tuned for details about how you can participate.

We will also celebrate the launch of ConnectSmart, a partnership project of the Texas Department of Transportation, H-GAC's Commute Solutions program, Tow and Go, TranStar, and many others. ConnectSmart is the region’s first mobility tool that integrates trip planning and navigation amongst a variety of commuting options. Even though the app officially launches in September, we invite you to download it now in the Apple and Google Play stores. ConnectSmart will provide an opportunity for measuring your carbon footprint, forming and finding carpools, making transit purchases, finding more comfortable bike routes and improving navigation in the region, all in one application.
Livable Centers Hybrid Workshop Will Discuss Innovative Strategies to Expand Project Funding Potential
Make plans to attend Finding the Money: Get Projects Prepped for Funding from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16.  

The event will be at the H-GAC second floor conference rooms and on Zoom. Registration is required to attend online and requested to attend in person

At H-GAC's Annual Livable Centers Land-Use / Transportation workshop you will: 

  • Learn innovative strategies that leverage existing resources and expand your project's funding potential.   
  • Hear from local area experts on how to evaluate your project using performance-based criteria for project planning, as well as real-life pilot projects and programs being implemented in the Houston-Galveston region today.   
  • Expand your understanding of H-GAC resources including future grant opportunities the agency is actively tracking. 

For more information, contact Anita Hollmann Matijcio.
Three Water Quality Meetings Scheduled for the Month of August
Water Quality Monitoring
H-GAC has three online meetings scheduled for August on water quality topics in the region. The meetings cover the following three watersheds:


For questions or more information about these meetings, contact Steven Johnston.
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, H-GAC 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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