I’m looking forward to seeing you at our Board of Directors Meeting next week.  The meeting agenda and Board packet are attached for your study and consideration.  A summary of the Board packet is included below.

Consent Agenda—The consent agenda includes six items that are routine, continuation of ongoing activities, and/or opportunities to expand our service to the region.  The combined items represent nearly $2.7 million in contracts.

Public Safety has an opportunity to apply for funding to continue and enhance our Elder and Vulnerable Adult Justice Program. The program will continue training professionals and volunteers and provide additional services to victims and their families via counseling services and referrals to local service providers.

Our cooperative purchasing program, HGACBuy, has completed procurements for portable construction and maintenance equipment.  This action will enhance our current offerings by adding 10 vendors, over 15 brands, and over 120 products.  Examples include jackhammers, scissor lifts, portable air compressors, and light towers.

Our Transportation Department has two items, including enhancements to our travel demand model and an agreement with the City of Conroe to conduct a Park and Rode pilot project.

The consent agenda also includes approval of the November 2018 Board Meeting minutes.

Finance and Budget Committee—will meet at 9:20 a.m. in conference room D to consider the monthly financial report, 2019 Budget and Service Plan, 2019 Salary and Benefit Program, and finance-related items on the Board agenda.

The 2019 H-GAC Budget and Service Plan is the same version as presented to you in November.  The proposed Salary and Benefit program complies with State requirements, is comparable to the State’s schedule, reflects market conditions, and allows for employee growth in each pay range.  Both items will be presented during a public hearing followed by possible action by the Board.

Plans and Projects Review Committee—will meet at 9:30 a.m. in conference room B to discuss an H-GAC grant application to the EPA for a Diesel Emission Reduction project which will replace diesel-operated warehouse, distribution center, and work yard equipment with new, cleaner technology.

Human Services—We are requesting authorization to increase a contract for public outreach and communications for Workforce Solutions.  The existing contractor has provided exceptional service and will follow up on the recent Hiring Red White and You! Annual hiring event for veterans, increasing accessibility to our online systems, and assisting with the Workforce Board strategic plan.

Committee Appointments—We have appointments to seven Advisory Committees for your consideration next week. 

Election Committee—will meet at 8:30 a.m. in conference room E to discuss recommendations for next year’s H-GAC Officers and will present its report for possible action during the Board meeting.

I appreciate your engagement and deliberation on the important action items before us.  Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the agenda items.

CW/ndg

Enclosure

Request approval of minutes of the November 20, 2018 Board Meeting. (Staff Contact: Rick Guerrero)

Request authorization to accept FY2019 Victims of Crime Assistance funding in an amount not to exceed $261,012 for Elder and Vulnerable Adult Justice Program. (Staff Contact: Ronnie Barnes)

Request authorization of contracts with the lowest responsible bidders for Portable Construction and Maintenance Equipment. (Staff Contact: Ronnie Barnes)

Request authorization to contract with Cambridge Systematics, Inc. to validate the transit mode choice and highway assignment components of H-GAC's travel demand model, amount not to exceed $500,000. (Staff Contact: Alan Clark)

Request authorization to negotiate and execute an agreement with the City of Conroe for up to three years for the provision of Park and Ride services, amount not to exceed $1,840,960. (Staff Contact: Alan Clark)

Request approval to increase Interlocal Contract with the General Land Office by $75,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $175,000. (Staff Contact: Jeff Taebel)

Request approval of November 2018 financial report. (Staff Contact: Nancy Haussler)

Public Hearing on proposed H-GAC 2019 Budget and Service Plan. (Staff Contact: Chuck Wemple)

Request action on Finance and Budget Committee recommendations on H-GAC 2019 Budget and Service Plan. (Staff Contact: Chuck Wemple)

Request action on Finance and Budget Committee recommendations concerning 2019 salary ranges, adjustment pool, and job classifications. (Staff Contact: Chuck Wemple)

Request that the project proposed by H-GAC for $971,250 be found consistent with plans, policies, and H-GAC review criteria. (Staff Contact: Andrew DeCandis)

Request authorization to increase the Savage Design Group contract by $132,500 for additional work, increasing the total contract amount from $530,000 to $662,500. (Staff Contact: Mike Temple)

Request approval of appointments to H-GAC advisory committees. (Staff Contact: Chuck Wemple)

Request approval of Election Committee recommendations for 2019 H-GAC officers, and authorization to mail ballots. (Contact: Gary Nelson)

This month, H-GAC is spotlighting the apprenticeship program available through the Workforce Solutions career offices in our region. (Staff Contact: Susan Dixon)

Report on current and upcoming H-GAC activities. (Staff Contact: Chuck Wemple)