Houston-Galveston Area Council Newsletter November 2022

October Board of Directors Meeting

At its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18, the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Board of Directors unanimously approved an agreement with the University of Texas Health Science Center to increase the number of Texas Rising Star-certified childcare centers across the 13-county region. This new partnership will be a critical step forward in improving the quality of early childhood education for families in the region.

Additionally, the board approved a handful of consent items that allow for continuation of ongoing agency activities and create opportunities to expand H-GAC’s services to the region in the near future.

Executive Director Chuck Wemple also presented H-GAC’s proposed budget and service plan for 2023. During his presentation, Wemple shared some key initiatives and accomplishments made in 2022. H-GAC hopes to build on these successes in 2023 by continuing to expand programs and services and taking a community- and customer service-oriented approach to how it engages with local governments, stakeholders, and residents. The board will vote on the 2023 budget and service plan before the end of the year.

Towards the end of the meeting, the board received an update on important current and upcoming activities ahead of next year’s legislative session.

Next Board Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 15

The next board meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov 15. 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: Bringing H-GAC to Communities

At its October meeting, the H-GAC Board of Directors listened to a spotlight presentation from representatives of the Intergovernmental Relations and Communications teams about H-GAC’s work to meet people where they are in the region. The Intergovernmental Relations and Communications teams often collaborate in creating opportunities that help facilitate candid conversations with the public and local governments.

Earlier this fall, H-GAC began hosting pop-up events where local government leaders could engage with H-GAC leadership and staff in the area they serve. These town hall-style events allow for an open conversation about the opportunities and challenges each county is facing and how H-GAC can help drive prosperity and quality of life for residents.

H-GAC plans to host a pop-up event in each of the 13 counties it serves. So far, pop-ups have taken place in Waller County and Fort Bend County, and one more is scheduled for Galveston County on Thursday, Nov. 17. The pop-ups will then resume early in 2023. For more information about the H-GAC pop-up events and other Intergovernmental Relations events, contact Laura Parker.

H-GAC is also bringing the conversation to residents as it updates the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Public meetings are taking place in each county of the eight-county metropolitan planning area H-GAC serves. At these meetings, residents can meet with transportation planners, discuss their unique transportation needs and concerns, and help shape the vision and top priorities of the updated plan.

Three more public meetings are scheduled for Nov. 14, Nov. 17, and Dec. 1 in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County respectively. Residents can learn more about these public meetings and the 2045 RTP update at www.h-gac.com/RTP. 

General Law and Home Rule Cities Caucuses Begin on Thursday, Nov. 10

H-GAC General Law and Home Rule Cities’ designated representatives and/or alternates will meet starting this Thursday to each select two representatives and two alternates to represent their interests on the 2023 H-GAC Board of Directors. These meetings will be held in person only at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West - Katy (16435 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77094).

• General Law Cities Caucus: Thursday, Nov. 10 | 6:30 p.m.
• Home Rule Cities Caucus: Thursday, Dec. 1 | 6:30 p.m.

Click on one of the hyperlinks above to register for your caucus. For specific questions, contact Cynthia Jones at 713-993-4591.

H-GAC Seeks Input on Amendment to 2018 Method of Distribution for Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery Funds

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 host a public planning meeting via Zoom at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 9 to provide more information on a proposed reallocation amendment and answer any questions the public has regarding the proposed reallocation amendment. Formal public comments will not be accepted at the public planning meeting but can be submitted online, by email, by postal mail, or by phone. H-GAC will also host a public hearing in a hybrid format at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6 that will accept formal public comments.

How 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 Lane, 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.

H-GAC Projects Earn Recognition in Texas Chapter of American Planning Association 2022 Planning Awards Program

The Regional Conservation Initiative and two Livable Centers projects were selected for recognition in the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association’s (APA) 2022 Planning Awards program.

The H-GAC Regional Conservation Initiative earned Silver recognition in the Environmental Planning category. This award honors efforts to create more sustainable and greener communities that reduce the impact of development on the natural environment and improve environmental quality. The project was also recognized in the inaugural APA Texas Chapter Houston Section 2022 Planning Awards.

The East Aldine Livable Centers study earned Silver recognition in the Best Practice category. This award is for a specific planning tool, practice, program, project, or process. This category emphasizes results and demonstrates how innovative and state-of-the-art planning methods and practices help to create communities of lasting value.

The Old Seabrook Livable Centers study earned Silver recognition in the Urban Design category. This award honors efforts to create a sense of place, whether a street, public space, neighborhood, or campus effort.

Congratulations to the Regional Conservation Initiative and Livable Centers for their awards!

Omar Fortune Discusses Small Business Financing Options on Workforce Solutions Series 'Your Career, Your Choice'

Omar Fortune, senior manager at H-GAC, appeared on the Workforce Solutions-powered TV show ‘Your Career, Your Choice’ to discuss financing opportunities for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Fortune manages the Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation (H-GALDC), an SBA 504 Loan Program-certified development company that supports small business and economic development in the H-GAC region by providing low-cost, fixed-rate financing to new, existing, and expanding small businesses.

‘Your Career, Your Choice’ is a half-hour TV program developed in partnership with Workforce Solutions and Quest Texas 55. The first season concluded on Oct. 29, but the full suite of episodes is available to watch online on the Workforce Solutions YouTube channel. To learn more about how Workforce Solutions can help you find a quality job or develop your career, visit their website at wrksolutions.com.

To learn more about the H-GALDC and small business financing opportunities, visit HGALDC.com. 

Justin Bower Teaches about Protecting Our Waterways on City of Pearland Education Program 'Adventures with Edu-Katie'

Justin Bower, principal planner at H-GAC, appeared on a recent episode of the City of Pearland’s educational program ‘Adventures with Edu-Katie’. Bower talked about the Clear Creek Watershed. The Clear Creek Watershed starts at the western part of the region in Fort Bend County and flows through Brazoria County, part of Harris County, and Galveston County into Clear Lake.

Bower discussed H-GAC’s work with the Clear Creek Watershed Partnership, a community collective of residents and stakeholders along the watershed that works to monitor and improve water quality. He also shared tips and actions residents can take in their everyday lives that can prevent hazardous bacteria and pollution from entering Clear Creek and its surrounding tributaries.

The full episode is available to watch online on the City of Pearland YouTube channel.

Next Week Begins National Crash Responder Safety Week

On Oct. 28, H-GAC’s Transportation Policy Council approved a proclamation to declare Nov. 14-18 as Crash Responder Safety Week. Crash Responder Safety Week is a national effort to reduce the number of traffic incident responders injured or killed in the line of duty by promoting Slow Down, Move Over law awareness for motorists and free Traffic Incident Management training for responders.

Safety is at the center of H-GAC’s Tow and Go program which keeps freeways moving and motorists safe by towing broken vehicles to the nearest exit for free. Every day, H-GAC works with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Houston TranStar, and the Texas Department of Transportation to assist road users in need, provide emergency traffic control and quickly clear incidents from roadways.

From January through October of this year, 51 traffic incident responders have been killed nationally, and far more sustained life-altering injuries. Crash Responder Safety Week aims to reduce this number significantly by highlighting the critical role that each of us plays in keeping responders safe.

Hiring Red, White, & You! Veterans Job Fair Returns on Thursday, Nov. 10

Texas’ largest hiring event for veterans and their families, Hiring Red, White & You!, is back! This free event helps connect veterans, transitioning military members, and military spouses to employers across Texas. Locally, this year’s job fair will be spread out over various Workforce Solutions career offices in the Greater Houston area. To reserve a spot at a participating office near you, visit the EventBrite page. 

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 cycling 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

• Sunday, Nov. 13 at Lynn Gripon Park at Countyside, League City, Texas
• 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. 

Next Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable Field Trip Takes Place on Nov. 17 at Francesca's Garden

Join us for H-GAC's next Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable field trip at 1:30 p m. Thursday, Nov. 17. We will meet at Francesca’s Garden in Rick Rice Park, 700 Mason Creek Trail, Katy, Texas, to learn more about this award-winning park. Registration is requested.  

Click here to register to attend. For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

One Week Left to Register for Houston Area GIS Day!

We’re just one week away from celebrating Houston Area GIS Day! The event takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the University of Houston - Clear Lake campus (2700 Bay Area Blvd., Bayou Building). The Houston Area GIS Day is a free one-day celebration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for local GIS professionals, universities, high school students, and teachers.

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
• URISA Texas “Mappy Hour” post-event
• Professional map contests and more!

For more event information, including general attendance registration and information, please visit the links for each specific part of the event or visit the 2022 Houston Area GIS Day web page.

IRS Increases Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit for Another Year

Have you heard? The IRS has announced numerous adjustments for the tax year 2023, including an increase in the Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit to $300 per month! 

How It Works 

Commuter benefits are offered as part of an employer's benefits package. Benefits are often preloaded on an employee’s benefits card or are provided from the employer through the transit or vanpool provider for direct payment of transit passes, monthly vanpool costs, and parking expenses. Employers save on payroll taxes, and the employee has pre-tax income to cover those expenses. Everybody wins! 

To learn more about the IRS adjustment, click here. To discuss to pros and cons of setting up or increasing benefits for commuters, feel free to email Commute Solutions.