Houston-Galveston Area Council Newsletter May 2019
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April Board of Directors Meeting
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The Houston-Galveston Area Council's Board of Directors met on April 16. The consent agenda included expanding the funding for the community and environmental wastewater assistance program and the authorization for the transportation department to execute contracts for more than a $1,000,000 in heavy-duty diesel replacements with cleaner technology.
The Board of Directors approved several economic development administration disaster recovery grants and diesel emission reduction grants.
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Together Against the Weather Brown Bag Luncheon - May 20, 2019
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The Houston-Galveston Area Council's
Brown Bag Lunch Series
provides a forum for education in market trends, emerging technologies, and key regional planning issues facing our communities. This month's Brown Bag Lunch Series will be presented by the Houston-Galveston Area Council's team of experts on hurricane evacuation planning and the region's Together Against the Weather program on
May 20 from noon to 1 p.m. at our headquarters located at 3555 Timmons Lane in Houston, TX. Together Against the Weather helps people with access and functional support needs to better plan and prepare for hurricanes in the 13-county Houston-Galveston region.
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Texas Municipal League Region 14 Spring Workshop
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Region 14
Texas Municipal League (TML)
m
embers met on April 25 in Huntsville at the Walker Education Center for their annual Spring Meeting.
This year, President Andy Brauninger, Mayor of Huntsville, hosted a full day workshop that centered around economic and community development that showcased experts on the subject. Brad Stafford, City Manager for the City of Navasota gave a presentation on economic development in historic downtown and reminded members to be patient when embarking down the path of redeveloping their downtown areas. Dr. Gene Theodori, Director of the Center for Rural Studies at Sam Houston State University, spoke about "The Case of the Missing Community" and the interaction that must exist between all entities within a community when striving to make improvements. Professor of Political Science, Mike Yawn intrigued members with his look to the future and how technology will impact communities in both a positive and negative manner and the implications it will have on government policy.
The members were given a tour of the City of Huntsville and treated to a reception at the Sam Houston Statue and Visitors Center. Speakers Dr. Sherry McKibben of Texas First Group; Debbie Charbonneau, Main Street Manager for the City of Taylor; and Joey Kaspar, Senior Planner with H-GAC, presented ideas, solutions, and resources available to members regarding the topic of Bringing Back Main Street. Members should look forward to the Region 14 Fall Meeting and Workshop to be held on August 23-24 in Spring, TX at the Houston CityPlace Marriott at Springwoods Village.
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May is National Bike Month! It’s time to dust off that bicycle in your garage and ride to an event in your community. The Houston-Galveston region is a dynamic place bustling with events happening in almost every corner to celebrate bicycling. See how you can
get involved
.
As our population and congestion increases, finding alternative ways to get to work is critical for our region. In the Houston-Galveston region, 25 percent of people live within 5 miles of their workplaces, an ideal distance for bicycling. By bicycling to work, you will benefit from better health!
H-GAC’s Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 16.
If you want your events listed on H-GAC's website contact
Clint McManus
.
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H-GAC Announces Inaugural WISE Awards Winners, Ceremony
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The Houston-Galveston Area Council announces the winners of the 2019 Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards. The
WISE Awards
recognize innovative strategies and projects in the Houston-Galveston region that serve as models for improving water quality.
2019 WINNERS
- Winner of the Built Project (Less than $500K) Category - Bios wale Demonstration Project, Harris County Flood Control District
- Winner of the Built Project (More than $500K) Category - Harris County Precinct 4 Service Center, Harris County Precinct 4
- Winner of the Planning and Policy Category - Houston Parks Riparian Restoration Plan, City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department
- Winner of the Education and Public Awareness Category - Galveston Bay Action Network, Galveston Bay Foundation
SPECIAL RECOGNITION RECIPIENTS
In addition to the four named categories, H-GAC recognizes the following projects for:
- Effective Use of Natural Pollution Mitigation Measures - The Port of Houston Tree & Riparian Enhancement of Ecosystem Services Program, Houston Wilderness
- Innovative Approach for New Development - Bridgeland Creek Parkway Sections Seven and Eight, The Howard Hughes Corporation
- Positive Integration of Amenities in Planning - City of Mont Belvieu Supplemental Detention Criteria, City of Mont Belvieu
- Proactive Planning & Leadership - Sugar Land Integrated Water Resource Plan, City of Sugar Land
- Robust Community Involvement -Bayport Berm Planting, Port of Houston Authority, Port Houston
Winners and special recognition recipients will be honored during a ceremony on Friday, May 17, at the Houston-Galveston Area Council in Conference Room B, second floor. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the ceremony will start at 9 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. Following the ceremony, there will be an opportunity to network with representatives from the Houston-Galveston Area Council and other water quality professionals.
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Area Agency on Aging Workshops
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The Houston-Galveston Area Council
Area Agency on Aging
aims to help older Texans remain independent and healthy in their communities by offering services and assistance with Medicare.
They also help advocate for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Benefits counselors help older and disabled Texans that are new or on Medicare compare and choose the best Medicare plans that are offered in their area. They can help you choose between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C). They can assist with comparing the different drug plans (Part D) that are available to beneficiaries.
There may be a monthly benefits check-up day in your community.
H-GAC’s Area Agency on Aging also offers a variety of
health education and caregiver workshops
. Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention is an evidence-based program that is effective in preventing falls and relieving arthritis pain. Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshops teach the skills to manage your chronic pain over this six-week workshop. Topics include pacing and planning, evaluating treatments, medications for chronic pain, and using your mind to manage symptoms. Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshops provide older adults with the tools needed to help better manage their chronic conditions. A healthy way to live with a chronic illness is by working at overcoming the physical, mental, and emotional problems caused by the condition.
Diabetes Self-Management Workshop provides older adults with the tools needed to help better manage their chronic conditions. A healthy way to live with a chronic illness is by working at overcoming the physical, mental, and emotional problems caused by the condition. A Matter of Balance Workshops are designed to reduce the fear of falling and to increase activity levels among older adults.
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2045 Regional Transportation Plan Public Comment Periods Ends May 10
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Thank you to all who attended our final
#2045RTP
public meeting last week in Houston.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council hosted three successful rounds of public meetings and received more than 1,000 public comments that helped us develop the region's long-range plan.
We rely on the input of our residents to create an efficient and successful transportation network. You can still leave a
public comment
on the plan until May 10.
The air quality determination and the long-range plan will be presented to the Transportation Policy Council for adoption on May 24 at the Houston-Galveston Area Council available to
livestream
at 9:30 a.m.
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