Houston-Galveston Area Council Newsletter December 2022

November Board of Directors Meeting

At its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Board of Directors approved a series of transportation-related items that will make a measurable impact on improving safety, mobility, and livability in the region.

The first item will allow for a second phase of a mobility study with the Old Sixth Ward Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. It will expand upon a previous study to develop a set of strategies and prioritized list of improvements that will increase connectivity of Old Sixth Ward’s streets and allow for a wider variety of transportation options beyond just driving. The second phase of the study is anticipated to last for 18 months.

The second transportation item approved will continue funding for the Gulf Coast Regional Tow and Go Program. Motorists who find themselves stranded on the freeway due to mechanical failure or flat tire can contact Tow and Go at 713-881-3333 to receive a free tow to the nearest exit. The service area has expanded to include all camera-monitored freeways in Harris County, Bellaire, Humble, Jersey Village, La Porte, Pasadena, and Webster, Texas. The Tow and Go program has made a measurable impact on reducing congestion and improving safety on our region’s freeways.

The final approved transportation item concerns the expansion of the intersection safety audit pilot program. About 40% of all traffic crashes in the region occur at roadway intersections. These crashes often result in loss of life, serious injuries, and contribute to congestion and travel delays. H-GAC has been conducting a series of safety audits of the most problematic intersections in the region to identify necessary improvements that will reduce the risk of crashes. The approved item will allow the pilot program to increase the number of study sites to 73 from 58 and increase funding.

Later, the board listened to a second review of H-GAC’s draft 2023 Budget and Service Plan. The second review included some revisions made to the draft since its first review in October. The board will vote on the final draft budget at its meeting in December. It also approved new appointments to the H-GAC Energy Board, Regional Air Quality Planning Advisory, Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Council, and Transportation Policy Council.

Towards the end of the meeting, the board approved resolutions recognizing the service of League City Mayor Pat Hallisey and Councilmember Larry Millican. Hallisey and Millican are both retiring from their roles with the city of League City. 

Next Board Meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 20

The next board meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20. 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: Medicare Benefits Counselors

At its November meeting, the H-GAC Board of Directors listened to a spotlight presentation about the Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging Medicare benefits counselors, who have been assisting seniors through the Medicare Open Enrollment Period. The Medicare benefits counselors provide free, unbiased assistance in understanding the benefits programs and resources available to residents eligible for Medicare, regardless of age, and their caregivers in the 12 counties surrounding Harris County.

During the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, eligible residents can enroll in or make changes to their Medicare health or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan, or return to Original Medicare (also known as Medicare Part A and Part B).

The benefits counselors take calls and conduct on-site consultations at senior and community centers across the region to help residents understand all their coverage options, answer their questions, and help them choose a plan that best meets their healthcare needs. The 2022 enrollment period ends on Dec. 7.

Alex Rischan, lead benefits counselor from the Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging, talked with Channel 2 KPRC reporter Amy Davis about the best way to shop for Medicare plans, what to look for, and cost savings opportunities for residents.

Though the Medicare Open Enrollment Period is the busiest time of year for the benefits counselors, their services are available to seniors, other Medicare-eligible residents, and their caregivers all year round. In addition to their counseling services, the counselors have played a critical role in assisting seniors in saving money and affording necessities, such as food, housing, transportation, and prescriptions, through inflation. 

Residents who need help understanding their Medicare benefits can contact the H-GAC Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-437-7396 or visit h-gac.com/area-agency-on-aging/medicare-benefits-counseling for more information. The agency’s service area covers Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties. Harris County residents may contact the Harris County Area Agency on Aging for assistance.

H-GAC Annual Meeting Will Take Place on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023

Mark your calendars! H-GAC will hold its annual meeting from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 20, 2023 at The Briar Club (2603 Timmons Ln.). Executive Director Chuck Wemple will deliver a State of the Region address, where he will share highlights of H-GAC's accomplishments in 2022 and provide a preview of plans for 2023. H-GAC will also unveil the 2022 annual report and video at the meeting and announce the new Board of Directors officers for 2023.

For more information and to register to attend, visit h-gac.com/events/annual-meeting.

Public Hearing on Amendment to 2018 Method of Distribution for Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery Funds Takes Place This Evening at 5:30 p.m.

H-GAC is seeking input on an amendment to the 2018 Method of Distribution (MOD) for Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery funds for local infrastructure projects in the H-GAC region.

The amendment would reallocate $2,305,505 in declined and/or de-obligated funds. Funded projects must directly address infrastructure damage from Hurricane Harvey and at least 70% of the funds must be used for persons of low and moderate income.

Only entities located in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Waller, Walker, or Wharton counties are eligible for funds. The Texas General Land Office did not include Harris County and the city of Houston in the original 2018 allocation and will not include either entity in this reallocation as they each received direct allocations from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for local infrastructure projects.

H-GAC will also host a public hearing in a hybrid format at 5:30 p.m., TODAY (Tuesday), Dec. 6 that will accept formal public comments. It will take place in person at the H-GAC office (3555 Timmons Ln.) second floor conference rooms and online via Zoom. Click here to register to attend in person, and click here to register to attend online.

The proposed amendment summary, which includes minutes from the public planning meeting held on Nov. 9, a draft summary form, and the draft reallocation sheet, is now available to download and review.

How to Submit Public Comments

If you are not able to attend the public hearing but still want to submit public comments, the public comment period will remain open until Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. To submit a comment, you may:

• Make public comments using our online public comment form
• Email public comments to: [email protected]
• Make public comments by phone at 1-877-442-2777
• Mail public comments to Houston-Galveston Area Council, Attn: Cheryl Mergo, P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777
• Deliver written public comments to the Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons Ln., Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77027

For more information on the development of the MOD and to register for the public meetings, please visit: h-gac.com/hurricane-harvey-recovery/cdbg-disaster-funds.

Help Bring Holiday Cheer to Our Region's Nursing Home Residents by Participating in the Silver Santa Gift Drive

The H-GAC Ombudsman Program's annual Silver Santa holiday gift drive benefitting nursing home residents is under way.

Donors can purchase gifts online now through Friday, Dec. 19, at registries on Amazon and Target. The gifts will be pre-delivered to a secure storage and sorting site selected by the H-GAC ombudsman group and then dropped off at nursing homes in the region picked by the ombudsmen in time for the Christmas holiday.

H-GAC has a goal to give each resident a throw blanket, socks, a bath item, and a game or trinket of their ability (e.g., puzzle, music therapy, large print book, fidget blanket).

For more information about the Silver Santa holiday gift drive, contact Lisa Hayes, managing local ombudsman. To learn more about the H-GAC Ombudsman Program, visit their program web page at h-gac.com/area-agency-on-aging.

Commute Solutions Gives Thanks to Its Partners

This holiday season, the H-GAC Commute Solutions program continues to express our gratitude to all of our Commute Solutions partners. 

Our partners play a vital role in educating commuters on their travel options and finding a more sustainable and affordable commute. They have contributed to the success of the Commute Solutions program in 2022. Our collaborations have resulted in more engagement opportunities, new relationships, and increased interest in making the shift to a more sustainable commute to help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in our region.

We look forward to continuing to work together in 2023 and beyond!

Free Bike Safety Trainings Are Available Near You

Sometimes riding a bicycle around Greater Houston can be daunting or intimidating. H-GAC is tackling this challenge head-on by offering free bike safety courses that will teach cyclists vital bicycle handling skills, rules of the road, and more. Below are virtual and in-person courses for both novice and experienced riders/drivers.

CyclingSavvy

CyclingSavvy is a virtual bike safety course you can take in the convenience of your home. This comprehensive course creates a solid foundation of biking as an adult. It is easy to understand for a novice and has golden nuggets of wisdom for the seasoned cyclist.

Learn more and register at Houston.cyclingsavvy.org.

Train Your Bike

For new or experienced bicycle riders, this on-the-bike class teaches riders how to anticipate the most common scenarios they will face and provides the tools to address real world challenges, from debris to sharing the road, in order to boost confidence and enhance the riding experience. Classes will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on the following dates and locations:

2022 Classes

• Saturday, Dec. 10 at Duhacsek Park, Sugar Land, Texas

2023 Classes

• Saturday, Jan. 14 at Bates Park, Angleton, Texas
• Saturday, Jan. 21 at Liberty Municipal Park, Liberty, Texas
• Saturday, Feb. 4 at The Crossroads Plaza, Dayton, Texas
• Saturday, March 18 at Eagle Pointe Recreation Complex, Mont Belvieu, Texas
• Saturday, March 25 at Magnolia Unity Park, Magnolia, Texas
• Saturday, April 15 at the Aquatic Center, The Woodlands, Texas
• Saturday, April 22 at Pearland Education Support Center, Pearland, Texas
• Saturday, April 29 at Winnie Stowell Park, Winnie, Texas

Learn more and find a ‘Train Your Bike’ class happening near you at h-gac.com/pedestrian-bicyclist-planning/bike-safety. 

Save the Date for H-GAC's Next Missing Middle Housing Peer Exchange

After a successful peer exchange earlier this year, we are ready to continue the conversation about Missing Middle Housing. Save the date for the next Missing Middle Housing: A Regional Conversation peer exchange from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at the Learning and Development Center - Houston, 4501 Leeland Street, Houston.

Registration is requested.

At the first peer exchange, participants shared their ideas and the challenges they’ve identified around Missing Middle Housing in the Houston-Galveston region. At this second event, attendees will hear innovative approaches to developing Missing Middle Housing and preserving affordable workforce housing from a panel of housing experts.

Presenters include:

• Jeffrey B. Goodman, AICP, Planning Policy Consultant, Granicus
• Jennifer Ostlind, AICP, Deputy Director, Community and Regional Planning, City of Houston
• Curtis M. Davis, R.A., Development Consultant, Houston Housing Collaborative

For more information, contact Jose Cantu.