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TO:
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H-GAC Board of Directors
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SUBJECT:
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Board Report
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FROM:
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Chuck Wemple
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DATE:
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July 9, 2018
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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. Today’s Board Report includes a few highlights.
Consent Agenda—The consent agenda includes seven items that are routine, continuations of ongoing activities and/or opportunities to expand our services to the region. Five are transportation related.
We have a resolution to designate August as Commute Solutions month. The H-GAC Commute Solutions program promotes a variety of transportation options to help commuters and businesses reduce traffic congestion and improve regional air quality.
The Area Emissions Reduction Credit Organization has an opportunity to receive funding and expand our services in the areas of Galena Park, Pasadena, and Southeast Harris County. The funds can be used to replace aging vehicles, school buses, and equipment with cleaner technology.
H-GAC is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the eight-county Houston Galveston Transportation Management Area. MPO responsibilities include developing long-range plans, prioritizing transportation improvement projects, and operating the region’s Transportation Policy Council. This designation is supported via an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Texas Department of Transportation and H-GAC. The agreement recurs every six-years and is up for renewal.
Additional items include procurement of water metering devices through HGACBuy, and receiving funding to launch a regional traffic safety campaign.
Finance and Budget Committee—will meet at 9:20 a.m. in conference room D to consider the monthly financial report, mid-year budget revision, and finance-related items on the Board agenda.
Plans and Projects Review Committee—will meet at 9:30 a.m. in conference room B to review water and sewer projects that are part of Brazoria County’s standard HUD program. Staff is requesting the projects be found consistent with regional plans, policies, and review criteria.
Transportation Planning—We are seeking approval of a funding agreement with TxDOT to continue implementation of regional commuter and transit pilot projects. These projects will continue a solid track record of reducing traffic congestion and providing benefits to our public transit partners and member governments.
Committee Appointments—We have appointments to eight Advisory Committees and one Board Chair’s Committee for your consideration next week. The list of committees underscores the variety of programs and services we offer to our region, and emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and participation in our activities.
Hurricane Recovery—We will have an update on the H-GAC FEMA temporary housing program which is nearing completion of the delivery phase and transitioning into assisting clients find permanent housing solutions. We will continue our discussion of the Method of Distribution which will allocate Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funds allocated to our region for local home buyout programs and infrastructure projects. We will have an update on our recent public comment process and seek approval to submit the Method of Distribution to the Texas General Land Office for approval. This action is a critical step in making recovery funds available to our local governments.
We have a robust agenda that includes several important items. I appreciate your engagement and deliberation as we move forward with the action items before us. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the agenda items.
Sincerely,
Chuck Wemple
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