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In the News

GeoMap 2013– First Call for Projects

Monday, May 07, 2012

GeoMap 2013– First Call for Projects

The Geospatial Base Mapping (GeoMap) Project is a collaborative effort to purchase geospatial products, garnering discounts based on volume, and reducing duplicative efforts across the region. CAPCOG’s coordination of the GeoMap program leverages tax payer and industry dollars to acquire data for the CAPCOG region at a low price. Historically, project participants have received several dollars of data for every dollar contributed. Geospatial products include aerial imagery, LiDAR, contours, building footprints, vegetation, and land cover to name a few. These products are critical to many applications including regional planning, tax assessment, conservation, ecology, growth assessment, E-911, Homeland Security, emergency management, and disaster response. For the first time GeoMap 2013 is offering oblique aerial imagery, which is comprised of four multiple-views (north, east, south and west) in addition to an overhead photo. Oblique imagery can be particularly useful to appraisal districts in assessing property values and for measuring the height of objects. Another new product is Change Detection, which uses advanced imagery analysis and processing techniques applied to multi-date imagery sets to “highlight” areas where change has occurred, enabling users to identify change quickly and efficiently.

With GeoMap there is no need to make requests for proposals (RFP), CAPCOG has completed the process and chosen an established and reputable vendor that provides the products and services needed for the current year’s anticipated projects. CAPCOG also handles the contract management with the vendor, as well as coordinates quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) services. These services ensure accurate products are delivered on time and contractual obligations are met, saving participants time and resources and ensuring a quality product is delivered.

CAPCOG anticipates interest in updating our region’s planimetrics, which have not been updated in several years. Planimetrics are digitized from this year or previous year’s orthophoto flights. Basic planimetrics are features visible on the orthos including building footprints, drainage, curbs, manholes, handicapped ramps, signs, driveways, sidewalks, alleys, edge of pavement, bodies of water, lakes, fences, drainage features, railroads, shorelines, overpasses, underpasses, trees, parking lots, etc. Planimetrics also are used for GASB 34: An asset inventory exercise that cities must go through to determine the value of all assets; critical for bond ratings.

The first Call for Projects for GeoMap 2013 was May 1st. Potential participants will have access to an interactive map which will show current areas of interest of regional participants and allow users to input their prospective areas of interest. Cost estimations will calculate on the fly, letting the user know how to target their areas of interest in the most cost-efficient manner. As more participants join, discounts will increase with increasing square mileage, saving money and extending the geographical extent of the project.

For more information regarding GeoMap 2013 please contact Eddie O’Connor.

In the News

WellMed Charitable Foundation Senior Community Center Grand Opening

Monday, May 07, 2012

May 2, 2012 was the grand opening of the WellMed Charitable Foundation Senior Community Center. The Center is designed to offer individuals of age 60 and older the opportunity to improve their emotional, social and physical health at no cost. Activities available to seniors at the center include fitness, health and educational classes, benefits counseling as well as stress busting classes for family care givers. The Center is located at 706 W. Ben White Blvd, Bldg. A, Suite 125, Austin, TX 78704.

In the News

Disaster Distress Helpline Provides Crisis Counseling

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7 resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a natural or man-made disaster or tragedy. The Disaster Distress Helpline is the nation's first permanent hotline dedicated to providing disaster crisis counseling. Information is available by phone, text or on-line at http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/ .

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text 'TalkWithUs' to 66746) to residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or man-made disasters.

Callers and texters are connected to trained and caring professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the network. Helpline staff provide counseling and support, including information on common stress reactions and healthy coping, as well as referrals to local disaster-related resources for follow-up care and support. Visit the SAMHSA website at http://www.samhsa.gov/disaster/ for additional information and resources related to disaster behavioral health.

In the News

Regional 9-1-1 Network Upgrade Underway

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Regional 9-1-1 Network Upgrade

In preparation for transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 services, the CAPCOG Emergency Communications Division has begun the upgrade of the regional 9-1-1 broadband network which connects all of the 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) within the 10-county CAPCOG region. New circuits have been installed at the Combined Transportation Emergency Communications Center which serves the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department and Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services; the CAPCOG Backup Center/Training PSAP; Cedar Park Police Department, Marble Falls Police Department and the Elgin Police Department. This network is currently used to provide updated mapping information to each PSAP to assist in identifying the location of the incoming emergency calls. As the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 moves forward, the network will be used to route the 9-1-1 calls to the proper PSAP.

For more informarion contact CAPCOG's Director of Emergency Communications Gregg Obuch.

In the News

Emergency Communications - Did You Know?

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Nationwide 398,000 calls are made each day to 9-1-1.
There are over 3,275 calls per day to 9-1-1 in the CAPCOG Region.
Every day about 281 callers hang up before the call is answered.
92.90% of the calls are answered in less than 10 seconds.
98.34% are answered in less than 20 seconds.
The average call lasts about 109.4 seconds.
During 2011 the number of wireline telephones in the CAPCOG Region decreased from 931,019 to 774,654.
There are about 323 million wireless telephone subscribers nationwide.
Over 76% of the CAPCOG 9-1-1 calls are from wireless phones.

Throughout the CAPCOG Region each month:

About 90 calls to 9-1-1 PSAPs come from in-vehicle systems, like On-Star.
Over 1,050 calls originate from coin/pay telephones.

On average 1,950 calls each month require translation services:

97% are for Spanish.
The next most frequent languages are Vietnamese, Arabic, Burmese, Mandarin, and Korean.
In the CAPCOG Region 9-1-1 obtains translation services for about 45 different languages each year.
40,000 TTY calls are made to 9-1-1 nationally each year.
There are 2,100,000,000,000 (yes, trillion) text messages sent each year; but, today, you can’t text to 9‑1‑1.
73% of adult cell phone owners text:
18 – 24 year olds text 110 times/day.
25 – 34 year olds text 55 times/day.

52% of the respondents in an American Red Cross Study indicated they would text to 9-1-1 if available.

In the News

Regional Law Enforcement Academy (RLEA) Training Update

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

The RLEA in-service training schedule for the months of April, May, and June includes courses for Basic Instructor as well as Firearms Instructor, Advanced Human Trafficking, Cultural Diversity, Racial Profiling & Asset Forfeiture, and Identity Theft. The course descriptions are currently posted on the CAPCOG training website. The “Use of Force” simulator is making its second tour around the region and is currently at the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. The system is a state-of-the-art training tool that is designed to effectively prepare law enforcement personnel to react appropriately in a variety of situations. It is not just a firearms simulator but also a judgement evaluation tool that will enable your participants to train for all force options. To schedule the simulator, contact Mike Jennings at 512-916-6164 or mjennings@capcog.org.

CAPCOG’s RLEA BPOC #63 graduated Mar. 30. The 17 newly-appointed Texas Peace Officers concluded their training with ceremonies held at the State Capitol. Guest speaker for BPOC #63 was Travis County Sheriff Gregg Hamilton.

The RLEA BPOC #64. This part-time night class, begun Mar. 26, is being held at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department and is designed for participants who work full-time jobs. Classes are Mon.-Thurs. 6 pm-10 pm. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Department is sponsoring several cadets who are currently licensed jailers with the agency.

In the News

CAPCOG’s RETF Named a Finalist for Texas Environmental Excellence Award

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

The Regional Environmental Task Force (RETF) has been named a finalist in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Texas Environmental Excellence Awards in the Innovative Operations/Management category. This prestigious award program honors the state’s most outstanding waste reduction and pollution prevention projects. The RETF is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort that addresses problems associated with illegal dumping and other environmental crimes. The innovative approach of the RETF includes regional coordination, a regional hotline to report crimes, access to shared resources and advice, and environmental law training. This program increases the effectiveness of participating environmental investigators. The RETF covers Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis, and Williamson Counties.

The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) provides centralized coordination for the RETF with funding through TCEQ from tipping fees charged at municipal solid waste facilities. The awards will be presented in May at the TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair and Conference in Austin. The committee that selects the finalists is composed of representatives from the environmental industry, local governments, civic organizations, schools, and statewide environmental groups. Their choices are recommended to the Governor and TCEQ commissioners.

To report a suspected environmental crime, call the hotline at 1-877-NO-DUMPS or your local environmental crime unit.

In the News

Local Governments Sustain Air Monitoring Efforts

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Seven local governments from the CAPCOG Region have committed to provide funding to sustain efforts to measure regional ozone pollution levels, the cornerstone of the air quality plan for the five-county MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area). Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties and the cities of Austin, Round Rock, and San Marcos have collectively committed $54,215 to replace aging equipment at four of the six air quality monitors CAPCOG operates in the region and to ensure operation of the monitoring stations through the end of the 2012 ozone season. The funding from these local governments enables CAPCOG to continue to collect measurements of ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and meteorological conditions in 2012, despite a 50% cut the Legislature made to CAPCOG's Air Quality Program grant during the last legislative session.

The six monitoring stations CAPCOG operates in Dripping Springs, San Marcos, Georgetown, Hutto, Cedar Creek, and Round Rock supplement the two regulatory monitors operated by TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) in Travis County. These six regional monitors can provide the public with high-quality data on the pollution levels within their own communities, rather than relying on the two TCEQ monitors in Travis County. For instance, in 2011, the TCEQ monitors in Travis County measured only three days with ozone levels that were unhealthy for sensitive groups, while the CAPCOG monitors in Hays County measured six high-ozone days. In 2009, when the TCEQ staff had initially included Williamson County as a county recommended for nonattainment based on the monitoring values in Travis County, the county persuaded the TCEQ Commissioners to remove Williamson County based on the monitoring values at the monitoring stations owned and operated by CAPCOG.

The monitoring data are also vital to characterizing and modeling local ozone problems. CAPCOG's air quality monitors provide critical data on the "upwind" and "downwind" conditions relative to Austin's urban core. These monitors show that while the region may contribute about 10-15 parts per billion (ppb), on average, of ozone (compared to a standard of 75 ppb), in the majority of cases ozone transported into the region from outside of the region makes up for the rest. In addition to the ozone and meteorological instruments at all six sites, CAPCOG also has instruments to measure nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide at the Hutto monitoring station, which can detect influence on local air quality due to any plumes of pollution from the numerous large coal-fired power plants to the northeast of the region. Without CAPCOG's regional air quality monitors, it would be much more difficult to understand the extent to which the region is impacted by sources from outside of the region. The monitors are also critical to accurately modeling ozone levels, since they are used to calibrate model performance.

The willingness of these local governments to financially support CAPCOG's efforts to continue to collect good data at these monitoring stations shows yet again how committed local government officials in the region are to maintaining regional air quality within the health-based national air quality standards.

In the News

Changes in Eligibility Requirements for Future Grant Funding through the Governor’s Office-CJD

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

The Governor’s Office, Criminal Justice Division, has made several changes to the eligibility requirements for entities interested in applying for funding from their office:

Effective Sept.1, 2012, each county must comply with Chapter 60 reporting requirements in order for the county or any political subdivision within that county to be eligible for grants under CJD’s Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. This means that by Aug. 1, 2012, each county and any political subdivision within that county that has applied to CJD for JAG grants (through the FY 2013 Criminal Justice Programs solicitation) must provide CJD with a criminal history disposition completeness report documenting that it has reached a 90% disposition completeness rate for adult arrests for calendar years 2006-2010, as measured by DPS. All jurisdictions, such as cities, in a non-compliant county will be ineligible for JAG funds regardless of whether the county itself applied.

Effective Sept. 1, 2013, any entity, public or private, in a county that does not report at 90% or above will be ineligible to receive grants from any state or federal fund sources managed by CJD. The new rules are aimed at improving the reporting of criminal history dispositions as required by Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 60, to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). HB 2730, which added Section 60.10 to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP), was passed in the 81st Legislative Session. This Section (CCH 60) requires counties with less than 90% adult and juvenile average criminal disposition completeness create a data reporting improvement plan. The statute required the Commissioners Court of such a county to establish a Local Data Advisory Board, as described by state law, no later than Nov. 1, 2009. To view Data Report Improvement Plans (DRIPs) for each county in the CAPCOG Region, go to the following link: http://www.capcog.org/divisions/regional-services/criminal-justice/.

Criminal histories must be reported correctly and promptly to DPS as required by Chapter 60. Many public and private employers use criminal histories as part of the review process when hiring persons for sensitive positions. Texas and national law enforcement officers need complete criminal histories during traffic stops or during other contacts. Also, this information is vital for judges to make proper decisions regarding magistration and sentencing. For these reasons, the Texas Legislature has stressed the need for timely and complete information and has established timelines for counties to achieve average compliance reporting at 90% or above.

More information on CCH 60 requirements can be found on the Texas Department of Public Safety website at: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/pages/crimHistoryRptng.htm.

In the News

Ombudsman Program Gets Good News

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Every extra dollar matters to the ombudsman program. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a large proposal from The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) for 100% federally-funded Money Follows the Person (MFP) relocation services. MFP is a Medicaid waiver program that allows people to use Medicaid funds to support moving out of Nursing Homes. The state Ombudsman program was approved for $1.1 million over five years. The funds will be used to hire a part-time contract staff in the state office, train ombudsmen on procedures for responding to MFP requests, and to reimburse local ombudsman programs for MFP services. The total amount of annual reimbursement available to ombudsman programs statewide is $168,000, so it’s a modest start to supporting the role the ombudsman programs play in helping seniors understand their options in making housing and care decisions.

The Area Agency on Aging is also in the process of finalizing a regional agreement with the Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG) Aging and Disability Resource Center to provide options counseling, provided by the ombudsman staff, for private-pay nursing home residents. This will inform these consumers about long-term care options outside of nursing homes, if they wish to pursue a move from the nursing home. Both programs are modest, but any increase in funding is greatly needed during these challenging times.

In the News

CAPCOG to Assist with Distribution of Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

The Emergency Response Guidebook provides valuable information to first responders including firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical services personnel when responding to transportation emergencies involving hazardous materials. The ERG is updated every four years to accommodate new products and technology and is divided into four color-coded sections. It is intended to be used for only the first 30 minutes of an emergency.

CAPCOG has once again been asked to assist with distributing the 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). CAPCOG’s Division of Homeland Security has been contacting local emergency response organizations across the region to determine how many books will be required to ensure that a copy is placed in every first responder vehicle. This information is then sent to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the agency responsible for distributing the guidebooks in Texas.

The ERG was first issued by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) in 1973 and was most recently reissued in 2008 as a joint publication of the Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Transport and Communications (Mexico).

DOT's goal is to place an ERG in each emergency service vehicle nationwide through distribution to state and local public safety authorities. To date, nearly 11 million copies have been distributed without charge to the emergency response community.

In the News

New Tool Will Help Central Texas Communities Measure Impacts of Development

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

The Sustainable Places Project, the regional initiative funded by last year’s HUD Sustainable Communities Grant and managed by CAPCOG, will be introducing a next-generation planning tool this fall that will evaluate fiscal and societal impacts of different patterns of development, both at the regional and local levels. The Sustainable Places analytics tool will first be used to support planning at the four demonstration sites chosen earlier this year: Hutto, Elgin, Dripping Springs, and Lockhart.

The analytics tool, being developed through a collaborative effort with UT in the lead, will be the first of its kind to measure impacts of development based on indicators specific to the CAPCOG ten-county region. The tool will be used to measure the monetary value of development decisions being made by a city ranging from types of housing, investment in infrastructure, where to build recreation facilities, and long-term cost of services. Originally, the Capital Area-Texas Sustainability or CATS Consortium intended to use IBM to develop the tool; however, relying on UT’s Center for Sustainable Development to be in charge allows the region to continue to have access to the tool for other communities long after the HUD grant is completed.

Coinciding with development of the analytics tool, a team of consultants will be hired to provide direct assistance to the four demonstration sites. The Steering Committee of the CATS Consortium is preparing to review proposals and make a recommendation for a contract which will be awarded by CAPCOG’s board. While the City of Austin staff will handle much of the planning instead of using the consulting team, they will be using the analytics tool for several demonstration sites including looking at development around rail stations.

CAPCOG, UT CSD, and the CATS Consortium are working with Fregonese and Associates, The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), Criterion, The Center for Transportation Research (CTR) and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), The Central Texas Indicators Project, and the University of Utah representing another HUD-funded regional project to pull together the various components of the new analytics tool and be ready to launch this fall. For more information, go to www.sustainableplacesproject.com

In the News

CAPCOG’s RETF Named a Finalist for Texas Environmental Excellence Award

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Regional Environmental Task Force (RETF) has been named as a finalist in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Texas Environmental Excellence Awards in the Innovative Operations/Management category. This prestigious award program honors the state’s most outstanding waste reduction and pollution prevention projects.

The RETF is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort that addresses problems associated with illegal dumping and other environmental crimes. The innovative approach of the RETF includes regional coordination, a regional hotline to report crimes, access to shared resources and advice, and environmental law training. This program increases the effectiveness of participating environmental investigators. The RETF covers Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson Counties.

The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) provides centralized coordination for the Task Force with funding through the TCEQ from tipping fees charged at municipal solid waste facilities. The awards will be presented in May at the TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair and Conference in Austin. The committee that selects the finalists is composed of representatives from the environmental industry, local governments, civic organizations, schools and statewide environmental groups. Their choices are recommended to the Governor and TCEQ commissioners.

To report a suspected environmental crime, call the hotline at 1-877-NO-DUMPS or your local environmental crime unit.

In the News

Emergency Notification System Utilized in Burnet County

Thursday, March 01, 2012

CAPCOG’s Emergency Notification System notified approximately 23,000 citizens of Burnet County early Thursday when an inmate escaped from the Burnet County Jail. Calls were made to notify county residents of the escape and then to let them know that he had been recaptured.

According to CAPCOG’s Homeland Security Director Ed Schaefer, citizens with landline phones as well as cell phones were notified. Schaefer pointed out that citizens in our region that rely on cell phones need to register them with us but the land lines are already in our system since CAPCOG also manages 9-1-1 communications for the ten-county area. To register a cell phone, go to http:/wireless.capcog.org or call 512-916-6035.

In the News

Local Governments Sustain Air Monitoring Efforts

Thursday, March 01, 2012

Six local governments from the CAPCOG region have committed to provide funding to sustain efforts to measure regional ozone pollution levels, the cornerstone of the air quality plan for the five-county MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area). Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties, and the cities of Round Rock and San Marcos have collectively committed about $35,000 to replace aging equipment at four of the six air quality monitors CAPCOG operates in the region. In addition, staff at the City of Austin are developing a proposal for the city to contribute additional funding to cover the costs of operating and maintaining the equipment in 2012. The funding from these local governments enables CAPCOG to continue to collect measurements of ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and meteorological conditions in 2012, despite a 50% cut the legislature made to CAPCOG's Air Quality Program grant during the last legislative session.

The six monitoring stations CAPCOG operates in Dripping Springs, San Marcos, Georgetown, Hutto, Cedar Creek, and Round Top supplement the two regulatory monitors operated by TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) in Travis County. These six regional monitors can provide the public with high-quality data on the pollution levels within their own communities, rather than relying on just the two TCEQ monitors in Travis County. For instance, in 2011, the TCEQ monitors in Travis County only measured 3 days with ozone levels that were unhealthy for sensitive groups, while the CAPCOG monitors in Hays County measured 6 high-ozone days. And in 2009, when the TCEQ staff had initially included Williamson County as a County recommended for nonattainment based on the monitoring values in Travis County, the County persuaded the TCEQ Commissioners to remove Williamson County based on the monitoring values at the monitoring stations owned and operated by CAPCOG.

In the News

Sustainable Places Project Analytics Tool Expected to be Functional this Fall

Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Capital Area Texas Sustainability (CATS) Consortium, through a grant from HUD and regional partnership of local governments, regional organizations, and other stakeholder groups, is developing a new approach to planning in Central Texas by introducing an analytics tool to provide a better understanding of the impacts of various development patterns. The tool is expected to be functional this fall and will be introduced at public planning events in Austin, Dripping Springs, Elgin, Hutto, and Lockhart, the selected demonstration sites. The tool will measure the impact of different development scenarios, including the impact on municipal budgets and other sustainability indicators to be chosen by the consortium. The consortium is currently collecting data and calibrating indicators for Central Texas. The planning team will be on board in May to work with city staff and community stakeholders to determine each demonstration site’s goals and to begin to introduce elements of the tool. The tool R&D process is on-going and new functionality will be available for each phase of the project. Below is an outline of components and providers:

Envision Tomorrow, from Fregonese and Associates, is the base scenario planning software and the platform to create an advanced, open-source planning tool, capable of both local and regional analysis. Envision Tomorrow tackles scenario building by using buildings as the base for a model. The building prototype library will be custom built for Central Texas.
Many of the HUD-funded applications of Envision Tomorrow will be calibrated for Central Texas by the University of Texas (UT) in collaboration with the University of Utah and Fregonese and Associates.
UT is authoring a unique fiscal impact model for municipal governments of multiple sizes across the region and incorporating a model to monetize sustainable development benefits.
Teaching tools will include pop-up boxes that warn when a scenario exceeds the acceptable threshold of certain indicators. Boxes will directly link to studies referenced by the indicators.
The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) will provide cloud veil hosting, web display, and visualization technology (hardware and software) for public engagement. TACC’s servers will allow instant feedback for complicated proximity analysis, i.e., we will be able to calculate the walking distance to a park, transit stop, or business district from all buildings drawn in the scenario and provide instant feedback about what it might mean for the community.
Criterion Planners will design a Data Quality Wizard and help form the data schema based on guidelines of the Open Source Planning Tools Symposium. Automation of data processing will increase the functionality, especially for our regional entities with limited GIS capabilities.
The Center for Transportation Research (CTR) and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) are developing an “Active Transportation Index,” an accessibility measure to evaluate land use and transportation scenarios and inform potential policies. Other contributions include a study of optimal block lengths, transportation modeling of the region, and simulations at local levels.
Work of the Central Texas Indicators Project and housing studies conducted by UT and CAPCOG at the demonstration activity centers will feed data for the indicators.
3D technologies will be explored. Our code outputs will be adaptable for on-the-fly 3D rendering, a long-term goal for the analytics tool.

In the News

Planning Demonstration Sites Selected for Sustainable Places Project

Thursday, February 02, 2012

The Sustainable Places Project, a consortium of local governments and agencies serving Central Texas, wrapped up its first year by selecting five cities to be planning demonstration sites. The cities of Austin, Elgin, Dripping Springs, Hutto, and Lockhart will demonstrate the benefits of integrating housing and mobility with economic opportunities in high growth areas. Over the next two years the demonstration sites will develop plans based on community goals with assistance from planning consultants and from a new planning analytics tool, all part of a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), managed by the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG). The demonstration sites are based on the Activity Centers concept in the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan adopted by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO).

According to Chad Coburn, CAPCOG’s Sustainable Places Project Director, nine cities from across Central Texas submitted applications to become planning demonstration sites. A review committee of experts in housing, development, economics, and other fields completed a comprehensive analysis of each application in October, 2011. In addition to the five selected demonstration sites, the committee also reviewed applications from Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, and Smithville. Coburn added that the applications were all very strong, ultimately requiring multiple meetings and interviews to make sure the right ones were selected. The final demonstration sites selected stood out because of the level of local commitment by the private and public sectors, the feasibility of the geographic area being proposed, including likelihood of implementation, and whether the applicant could articulate a strong understanding of how mobility, housing, and economic development would be handled as a three-pronged approach during the planning process.

Next steps for the consortium include the selection of a consulting team, ramping up a regional outreach program as well as local outreach within each city, and beginning the development of the Sustainable Places Project Analytics Tool. The consortium has set out to build a next-generation planning tool that will evaluate fiscal and societal impacts of different patterns of development, both at the regional and local levels.

The University of Texas Center for Sustainable Development, the Center for Transportation Research, CAMPO, CAPCOG, the Texas Advanced Computing Center, the City of Austin, and many other organizations are collaborating on what they believe will be a planning analytics tool that will help quantify complex issues relating to public infrastructure development and save millions long-term through more efficient investments.

The consortium includes non-profits, local governments, higher education, and regional organizations working together to sustain the economic competitiveness of the region by helping local governments make cost effective choices about infrastructure to support development while also ensuring people can work and play closer to where they live. The broader goal of the HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant is to bust the silos in Washington, as separate agencies that fund transportation, housing, economic development, and environmental projects have not collaborated well with each other in the past; this is the hurdle the regional projects must address.

For more information regarding the Sustainable Places Project, refer to the CAPCOG website http://www.capcog.org/divisions/regional-services/cats/ or contact Chad Coburn, Director of the Sustainable Places Project, at (512) 916-6012 or ccoburn@capcog.org.

In the News

Williamson County Office of Emergency Management Win Top National Award for Best Use of Social Media

Thursday, February 02, 2012

The GovFresh Awards honor the most innovative citizen, city, and local government technology projects of the year with this year's entries judged by a panel of 11 industry leaders. In 2011, The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management won the award for making the best use of social media.
Williamson County also came in first in the General Use of Social Media category, sharing that honor with New York City and Philadelphia. The award recognizes a state or local government that makes the most effective use of two-way communications via the internet.

Williamson County also won top honors in Best Use of Social Media in the Emergency Management category, along with runner-up for Overall Best Use of Social Media, naming Ms. Mackenzie Kelly as the runner-up for Public Servant of the Year. Among Mackenzie's accomplishments was promoting the use of social media for the Williamson County Office of Emergency Management. "We are glad to be recognized & look forward to helping others," Ms. Kelly tweeted after the awards were announced. "I feel honored to be acknowledged for what I love," Ms. Kelly said. "Preparing residents in Williamson County for emergencies is something that I'm passionate about and knowing others recognize that is an amazing feeling." Ms. Kelly is the Communications Director for the Community Emergency Response Team board with the City of Austin, and serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Jollyville Fire Department.

Williamson County's Office of Emergency Management used its Preparing Wilco Facebook and Twitter accounts throughout the year, most notably during the year's wildfires. Utilizing tools such as RSS feeds, Facebook and Twitter, Williamson County is able to get messages out to more people and thus further educate the public, addressing home protection concerns, wildfire activity, recommended evacuations, shelter openings, and information on lending assistance to fire victims. Ms. Kelly said that the number of followers on both Facebook and Twitter increased dramatically during the fires, which allowed for interaction with citizens and served as an effective outlet for preparedness tips. To view the Facebook and Twitter sites go to www.facebook.com/preparingwilco and www.twitter.com/preparingwilco.
To view the list of 2011 GovFresh Awards winners visit http://govfresh.com/2011/12/2011-govfresh-awards-winners/

In the News

The Governor’s Office, Criminal Justice Division, Announces Changes in Eligibility Requirements fo

Thursday, February 02, 2012

In December, Christopher Burnett, Executive Director of CJD at the Governor’s Office, sent out a memo detailing the changes in eligibility requirements for future funding through CJD. The changes are in response to legislated mandates contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 60, that specify a 90% disposition completeness rate on reporting adult arrest information to the Computerized Criminal History System (CCH). While the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the agency responsible for collecting data and compiling CCH reports, CJD will assist in the effort to raise the compliance rate percentage through the following two phases:

Phase 1 - Effective September 1, 2012: Each county must comply with Chapter 60 reporting requirements in order for the county or any political subdivision within that county to be eligible for grants under CJD’s Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. This means that by Aug. 1, 2012, each county and any political subdivision within that county that has applied to CJD for JAG grants must provide CJD with a criminal history disposition completeness report documenting that it has reached a 90% disposition completeness rate for adult arrests for calendar years 2006-2010, as measured by DPS. All jurisdictions, such as cities in a non-compliant county, will be ineligible for JAG funds (Federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds passed through the State’s Criminal Justice Programs Request for Applications) regardless of whether the county itself applied to CJD for JAG.

Phase 2 - Effective September 1, 2013: Any entity, public or private, in a county that does not report at 90% or above will be ineligible to receive grants from any state or federal fund sources managed by CJD.
Criminal histories must be reported correctly and promptly to DPS as required by Chapter 60. Many public and private employers use criminal histories as part of the review process when hiring for sensitive positions. Texas and national law enforcement officers need complete criminal histories during traffic stops or during other contacts. Also, this information is vital for judges to make proper decisions regarding magistration and sentencing. For these reasons, the Texas Legislature has stressed the need for timely and complete information and has established timelines for counties to achieve average compliance reporting at 90% or above.

If you have technical questions regarding the Chapter 60 data reporting requirements, please contact Angie Kendall at the Texas Department of Public Safety at angie.kendall@dps.texas.gov.
To see a chart of CCH compliance rates for each county in the CAPCOG Region, please click on the following link: http://www.capcog.org/documents/criminal_justice/2012-1-16%20Criminal%20History%20Compliance%20Report%20for%20CAPCOG%20Region%2012.pdf

In the News

Cities Launching New Building Software Across Region

Thursday, February 02, 2012

In January, the City of San Marcos launched the MyPermitNow software program, replacing its previous permitting software. At full implementation, MyPermitNow will allow contractors and residents in San Marcos to apply for permits and schedule inspections, create citizen complaints about code violations, and view records related to permitting and code enforcement online. San Marcos is the second city in Texas to launch MyPermitNow, joining Lago Vista, which has been using MyPermitNow since November, 2011. Currently, Georgetown, Hutto, and Cedar Park have received approval to acquire MyPermitNow and will begin using the software during the first half of 2012. In addition, two large counties in the region have committed to implement MyPermitNow, pending approval from their commissioners’ courts.

Through an arrangement with South Central Planning and Development Commission, a COG in Louisiana, CAPCOG has exclusive rights to distribute MyPermitNow in a territory that includes CAPCOG, Alamo Area COG, Brazos Valley COG, Central Texas COG, Heart of Texas COG, and three other smaller COGs. CAPCOG initiated outreach beyond its borders with live demonstrations held in January in San Antonio, Bryan, and Belton.

If your local government is interested in how MyPermitNow can improve your permitting, plan review, code enforcement, and addressing processes, please contact David Fowler, CAPCOG Senior Planner, at (512) 916-6165 or dfowler@capcog.org.

In the News

GeoMap 2012 Has Largest LiDAR Project in Years

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Regional participants have come together for the acquisition of 6-inch and 12-inch aerial imagery for Williamson, Travis, Hays, and Caldwell Counties, and the cities of Marble Falls and La Grange. Travis County garnered deep savings with the cooperation of Travis Central Appraisal District, reducing the cost for participants within Travis County by 50% or more.

We look forward to more cooperation in the future among our region’s appraisal districts to better leverage tax payers’ dollars and reduce the duplicative efforts that often occur. The total cost of the aerial imagery portion of GeoMap 2012 is $415,410. The cooperative effort has brought about an estimated savings of $1,402,500 to participating entities and tax payers. This imagery has numerous applications such as maintaining local and regional base maps, disaster preparedness, 9-1-1 addressing and dispatch, growth assessments, and infrastructure management.

GeoMap 2012 has embarked on the largest LiDAR project in years. The cities of Austin and Round Rock and Travis County have a combined LiDAR area of 1,200 square miles of high density LiDAR. This product, which is a point cloud of data with horizontal and elevation attributes, is used for a myriad of analyses such as floodplain modeling, creating building footprints, taking inventory of bridges and culverts, generating engineering-grade 2’ contours for surveying, and measuring tree canopy area and heights. The LiDAR project has benefitted from the GeoMap cost savings by reducing the number of airplane mobilization fees, flight planning, and control costs. The total project value is $510,000.

As of Jan. 19, 85% of the aerial imagery and 27% of the LiDAR have been acquired. Once the acquisitions are complete, the data will be processed and regional GIS analysts will review the data for quality control. The final product will be available in the summer of 2012. For questions regarding GeoMap please contact Eddie O’Connor at eoconnor@capcog.org or (512) 916-6033.

In the News

Holiday Projects Benefit Clients

Thursday, February 02, 2012

For the fourth year, clients of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) participated in three holiday projects organized by departments from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and by the AAA staff.

The first project was sponsored by the Budget and Management Services department of DADS. This department adopted eight seniors from Travis, Williamson, and Hays Counties. Through personal donations and proceeds gathered from a family putt-putt golf event, this group of co-workers and their families provided and delivered everything these isolated seniors needed for a cheerful holiday season. All eight seniors were identified and nominated by the Care Coordination staff (AAA).

A tree-decorating contest was the kick-off for the second project. The Access and Intake/Area Agencies on Aging division of DADS staff set up and decorated trees in the main lobby. Large boxes were placed next to them for voting by placing donations into the boxes. The list of donations was compiled by the Aging Care Coordination staff and included such items as lotions, soaps, calendars, handkerchiefs, gloves, etc. After the contest, all of the boxes were hauled to CAPCOG and items were separated and organized by the Care Coordination team for distribution to seniors in the entire ten-county area. Although donations were fewer than in the previous years, AAA staff continue to distribute the gifts to new clients when out on home visits.

AAA staff decided this year to forgo an internal celebration and gift exchange and instead sponsored 12 additional clients with holiday treats and surprises. These ranged from a staff person enjoying dinner and visit with a WWII veteran to supplying a 93-year -old with needed clothing. Each person was asked what they wanted or needed, and the gifts were tailored to their individual requests.

The generosity displayed by all of these projects was remarkable. The far-reaching effects in the region can never be calculated, but the kindness shown to these senior members of our communities will forever be in the hearts of all who participated.

In the News

Enhanced 9 1 1 for Multi-line Phone Systems

Thursday, February 02, 2012

In a presentation to CAPCOG’s Executive Committee recently, it was noted that many organizations or businesses situated as a multi-building campus, including schools, may get an emergency first responder only to one building regardless of where the 9-1-1 call originated. This is because the primary billing address is the address of record for the organization, unless it has a Private Switch/Automatic Location Identification (PS/ALI) agreement.

The PS/ALI agreement is an extension and enhancement to 9-1-1 emergency response systems so that organizations receive full-featured Enhanced 9-1-1 services; specifically, individual address and location information for each telephone station within the organization. Organizations that enter into a CAPCOG PS/ALI agreement are permitted to have a connection between their telephone system and the 9-1-1 network and to have access to the 9 1 1 database to enable them to manage and update the telephone number and address information for their company. When the information has been entered, 9-1-1 calls placed from the organization’s telephones will be routed to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The number and specific location information will be displayed to the PSAP. The PSAP then knows from which building, floor, and room number the call is coming and dispatches emergency responders to the correct location.

The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) has undertaken a 9-1-1 public awareness effort to expand these agreements for organizations, particularly school districts, throughout the region. For more information on PS/ALI agreements, please contact Julie Harmon at (512) 916-6024 or jharmon@capcog.org.

In the News

Sign Up for Newsletters and Alerts at CAPCOG Subscriptions

Thursday, February 02, 2012

CAPCOG recently began the process of improving the CAPCOG website including access to information such as newsletters and notifications. One of the recent additions includes a CAPCOG Subscriptions feature on the home page (www.capcog.org). This feature allows users to sign up for various CAPCOG newsletters and alerts including the e-version of CAPCOG Connections, the Data Points newsletter, Grant Alerts, Sustainable Places updates, media releases, and training notifications.

Data Points is a monthly newsletter focused on presenting economic data and analyzing economic trends in the ten-county region as well as comparing our region to other states and the U.S. In 2011 the newsletter analyzed topics such as the growth of the suburbs, the growing burden of housing costs, commuting patterns, migration, employment, education, poverty, and innovation and patent production.

Sustainable Places updates are distributed by Chad Coburn, the Director of the Sustainable Places Project, a regional consortium of local governments and other regional stakeholders that was awarded $3.7 million as one of only 45 HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grants given out across the nation. The cities of Austin, Dripping Springs, Elgin, Hutto, and Lockhart were selected as initial planning demonstration activity centers. Updates are provided as important milestones in the project are reached.

CAPCOG’s Grant Alert is a bi-monthly notification that includes information about upcoming state, federal, foundation, and other funding opportunities. In order to make Grant Alerts easy to navigate, only funding opportunities available to local government entities such as cities, counties, and special districts are included.

In addition, by signing up to receive media releases and training alerts, you will learn about major news events affecting CAPCOG and training opportunities offered.

For more information or to subscribe to CAPCOG newsletters and other notifications, contact smora@capcog.org or go to CAPCOG Subscriptions and select the items you want to receive.

In the News

In-service Training News

Thursday, February 02, 2012

The RLEA will be providing numerous in-service classes throughout the month of February, including all of the intermediate core courses, mandated TCLEOSE continuing education courses, and courses such as Mental Health Officer, Basic Instructor, and Armory.

For the first time, the RLEA will be hosting a Glock Armory course at CAPCOG on Feb. 28th; to register for this course visit www.glocktraining.com. This course will meet Glock recertification requirements for armory department personnel and also certify new firearms instructors to allow for the repair of Glock handguns. This is a one-day hands-on course and lunch will be provided.

CAPCOG’s RLEA Use of Force Simulator will be in the Marble Falls area in the coming weeks. To request the Use of Force Simulator, contact Director Mike Jennings at 512-916-6164 or mjennings@capcog.org.

In the News

CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Academy News

Thursday, February 02, 2012

CAPCOG started its new fiscal year Oct. 2011 with two Basic Peace Officer Courses by the Regional Law Enforcement Academy (RLEA). As is usual, a day class is being held at the Academy, with 22 sponsored and unsponsored cadets. Sponsored cadets are those who have already been hired by a municipality while non-sponsored are those who are taking the course out of their own initiative. A night class is being held at the Pflugerville Police Department with 24 cadets.

Another BPOC night class starts Feb. 14th and will be held and hosted at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department. The cadets will spend the next nine months in training covering subjects such as the Texas Penal Code, Arrest, Search and Seizure, Patrol Procedures, Defensive Tactics, and Firearms. Registration is now underway for the next RLEA BPOC day class which will begin in April. For information about the BPOC course as well as eligibility and requirements, visit our website at www.capcog.org.

In the News

Enhanced 9-1-1 for Multi-line Phone Systems

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

In a presentation to CAPCOG’s Executive Committee recently, it was noted that many organizations or businesses situated as a multi-building campus, including schools, may only get an emergency first responder to one building regardless of where the 9-1-1 call originated. This is because the primary billing address is the address of record for the organization, unless it has a Private Switch/Automatic Location Identification (PS/ALI) agreement.

The PS/ALI agreement is an extension and enhancement to 9-1-1 emergency response systems so that organizations receive full-featured Enhanced 9-1-1 services; specifically, individual address and location information for each telephone station within the organization. Organizations that enter into a CAPCOG PS/ALI agreement are permitted to have a connection between their telephone system and the 9-1-1 network and to have access to the 9-1-1 database to enable them to manage and update the telephone number and address information for their company. When the information has been entered, 9-1-1 calls placed from the organizations telephones will be routed to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The number and specific location information will be displayed to the PSAP. The PSAP then knows from which building, floor and room number the call is coming and dispatches emergency responders to the correct location.

In the News

GeoMap 2012 Has Largest LIDAR Project in Years

Thursday, January 19, 2012

The Geospatial Base Mapping (GeoMap) Project coordinates cooperative purchasing of geospatial products, garnering discounts based on volume, splitting costs among entities with overlapping areas of interest, and reducing duplicative efforts across the region. GeoMap has seen great growth for the 2012 cycle, with nineteen participants cooperatively purchasing aerial imagery and LiDAR (Light Distance and Ranging).

Regional participants have come together for the acquisition of six-inch and twelve-inch aerial imagery for Williamson, Travis, Hays, and Caldwell counties, and the cities of Marble Falls and La Grange. Travis County garnered deep savings with the cooperation of Travis Central Appraisal District, reducing the cost for participants within Travis County by fifty percent or more.

We look forward to more cooperation among our regions appraisal districts in the future to better leverage tax payers’ dollars, and reduce the duplicative efforts that often occur. The total cost of the aerial imagery portion of GeoMap 2012 is $415,410. The cooperative effort has brought about an estimated savings of $1,402,500 to participating entities and tax payers. This imagery has numerous applications such as maintaining local and regional base maps, disaster preparedness, 9-1-1 addressing and dispatch, growth assessments, and infrastructure management.

GeoMap 2012 has embarked on the largest LiDAR project in years. The cities of Austin and Round Rock, and Travis County, have a combined LiDAR area of 1,200 square miles of high density LiDAR. This product, which is a point cloud of data with horizontal and elevation attributes, is used for a myriad of analyses such as floodplain modeling, creating building footprints, taking inventory of bridges and culverts, generating engineering-grade two-foot contours for surveying, and measuring tree canopy area and heights. The LiDAR project has benefitted from the GeoMap cost savings by reducing the number of airplane mobilization fees, flight planning and control costs. The total project value is $510,000.

As of January 19th, 85% of the aerial imagery and 27% of the LiDAR have been acquired. Once the acquisitions are complete, the data will be processed and regional GIS analysts will review the data for quality control. The final product will be available in the summer of 2012. For questions regarding GeoMap please contact Eddie O’Connor.

In the News

CAPCOG Presents Regionalism Award to Senator Troy Fraser

Thursday, December 15, 2011

State Senator Troy Fraser was presented with the Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award at the Capital Area Council of Governments annual General Assembly meeting on December 14, 2011. Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger presented the award to Senator Fraser before more than 100 city, county and state officials and staff from throughout the 10-county Capital Area.

Senator Fraser was being recognized for his leadership and persistence in seeking collaborative, pro-active ways to address the critical challenges of water and drought in Central Texas. Judge Klaeger noted that, “Senator Fraser has rallied the ground water districts, counties, cities and businesses to evaluate the formidable issues interwoven with our biggest challenge: the mega drought in central Texas.” The Senator was noted for his recent efforts in encouraging the Lower Colorado River Authority and other water stakeholders to reassess their water management processes and for all entities, state and local, to work together with regard to water management.

The Regionalism Award is named for the late Jack Griesenbeck, a Bastrop County Judge and early advocate for regional cooperation among local governments in the 1970s. Regional cooperation is becoming increasingly important to our communities as they work to address a number of issues like water management and a drought crisis that cross city and county lines. The Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award was created to recognize leaders that have contributed significantly to regional cooperation within CAPCOG’s ten-county Capital Area.

Past recipients of the award are Kirk Watson, former Mayor of Austin and now State Senator; Neal Kocurek, former Chairman of the Envision Central Texas project; Robert Huston, former Chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Ray Sanders, former Lockhart Mayor, Bob Daigh, District Engineer of Texas Department of Transportation; former State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos; the late Caldwell County Judge H. T. Wright; Mike Simpson, of the City of Austin and the Texas Radio Coalition and Mark Whitacre, Police Chief of Marble Falls.

Senator Fraser Receives Regionalism Award

In the News

CAPCOG General Assembly Recap

Thursday, December 15, 2011

More than 100 city, county, special district and state officials and staff attended the December 14, 2011 CAPCOG General Assembly meeting. The meeting included the election of the 2012 CAPCOG Executive Committee, a bylaws amendment to allow up to two state legislators to serve as non-voting members on the Executive Committee and the presentation of the Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism award. The meeting also featured special recognition of Bastrop County officials and staff that responded to the Bastrop County Complex Fires. This presentation included the first public screening of a documentary on the wildfire made possible with funding from LCRA.

The following officials were elected to the CAPCOG Executive Committee for 2012:

Representing Counties:
Bastrop County - Judge Ronnie McDonald
Blanco County - Judge Bill Guthrie
Burnet County - Judge Donna Klaeger
Caldwell County - Judge Tom Bonn
Fayette County - Judge Ed Janecka
Hays County - Judge Bert Cobb
Lee County - Commissioner Maurice Pitts
Llano County - Judge Wayne Brascom
Travis County - Judge Samuel T. Biscoe and Commissioner Karen Huber
Williamson County - Judge Dan A. Gattis

City of Austin - Councilmember Kathy Tovo

Cities over 100K - Mayor Alan McGraw (Round Rock)

Representing Mid-size Cities:
Councilmember Scott Mitchell (Cedar Park)
Councilmember Brad Pickett (Kyle)
Mayor Jeff Coleman (Pflugerville)
Councilmember Kim Porterfield (San Marcos)

Representing Small Cities:
Mayor Caroline Murphy (Bee Cave)
Councilmember Ron Fletcher (Buda)
Mayor Marc Holm (Elgin)
Councilmember John Castillo (Lockhart)
Mayor Bill Hamilton (Rollingwood)

At Large:
Commissioner Will Conley (Hays County)
Commissioner Cynthia Long (Williamson County)
Mayor George Russell (City of Marble Falls)

Ex-Officio:
Representative Larry Gonzales
Representative Paul Workman

Betty Voights, CAPCOG Executive Director, also recognized the service of six elected officials leaving Executive Committee in 2012: Georgetown Councilmember Pat Berryman, Burnet County Commissioner Bill Neve, former Granite Shoals Mayor Frank Reilly, Austin City Councilmember Chris Riley, former Lockhart Mayor Ray Sanders, and former San Marcos Councilmember Fred Terry .

The CAPCOG Executive Committee is the 27 - member governing body of the COG. Executive Committee members are city and county elected officials nominated and selected annually to serve from January through December and provide direction to CAPCOG staff regarding program implementation, budgets and contracts, and general policies and procedures for administrative management of the agency.

The Jack Greisenbeck Regionalism Award was presented to State Senator Troy Fraser, in recognition for his work on behalf of the region in addressing water and drought issues (see related article).

The annual meeting concluded with a special recognition of Bastrop County’s leadership team that helped get the county through the Bastrop County Complex Fire. Commissioner Will Conley and Judge Ronnie McDonald recognized Bastrop Commissioners Clara Beckett and Willie Piña, Sheriff Terry Pickering, County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Fisher, Bluebonnet Electric General Manager Mark Rose and Gayle Wilhelm, the county’s public information officer, during the event. The recognition was followed by the first viewing of the documentary on the preparedness/response/recovery during the Bastrop Fires. This documentary, referred to as the Bastrop County Fire Historical Project, was made possible by funding from LCRA.

In the News

New PSAP Policy Adopted

Thursday, December 08, 2011

When the Texas Legislature cut CAPCOG’s 9-1-1 budget by 25%, reductions of $5.5 million forced the agency to cut administrative costs, public education, some equipment maintenance costs, and as a last resort, eight Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) with the lowest call volume. Once the state fiscal year began in September, CAPCOG was able to provide partial funding to four of the largest PSAPs that would have been cut: Taylor, Elgin, Lakeway, and Leander.

During the budget discussions, the CAPCOG Executive Committee noted that while a policy exists for funding new PSAPs based on population and call volume, no policy existed for when PSAPs are "defunded." During the November Executive Committee meeting, a revised PSAP Policy was adopted that addresses this issue; PSAPs that fall below the call volume criteria will no longer receive funding. The policy also has a time cycle for when and how the call volume will be monitored so that PSAPs falling below the criteria will be notified well in advance.

Gregg Obuch, CAPCOG’s Emergency Communications Director, pointed out that a local government can pick up the cost of funding a PSAP on its own, as Luling and Lago Vista are currently. In the case of the four PSAPs being partially funded by CAPCOG, the local jurisdictions provide the remaining funds. If three of the partially funded PSAPs do not meet the minimum requirements set forth in the criteria, it could result in these no longer being partially funded by CAPCOG after Aug. 31, 2013. However, Mr. Obuch noted that population growth could make some of these PSAPs eligible for full funding by the time a decision must be made, assuming CAPCOG does not have additional cuts in 9-1-1 funding as a result of the 2013 Legislative Session.

For more information, contact Director of Emergency Communications, Gregg Obuch. Download the revised policy here.

In the News

CAPCOG Presents State of Burnet County

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

The CAPCOG Economic Development Division provides data services to communities across the CAPCOG region. A recent initiative is the State of the County, which includes information about population, income, housing, commuting patterns, and education. At the request of the County, CAPCOG will prepare a State of the County report and present key demographic trends impacting growth. The purpose of the State of the County initiative is to provide county-specific information on demographic and economic trends to community leaders who are planning for major population growth. CAPCOG has recently developed a State of the County Report for Burnet and Hays Counties.

The release of 2010 population counts by the U.S. Census Bureau confirmed that the Capital Area has experienced explosive growth during the past decade and current projections indicate continued growth in the years ahead. Since 2000, the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) experienced the third-highest rate of population growth among all U.S. metropolitan areas with at least one million residents. With approximately 75 percent of this growth occurring outside of the City of Austin, accommodating population increases has become one of the primary challenges for smaller communities throughout the Capital Area.

Last week, Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger invited John Rees, CAPCOG Economic Development Director, to present the State of Burnet County at a meeting of Burnet County economic developers and officials. The State of the County presentation highlighted the important role of new residents in fueling the county’s population growth (during the past decade migration has accounted for 90 percent of all population growth in Burnet County), the relative maturity of Burnet County’s population (at 45, the county’s median age is more than 10 years higher than the regional average), and the relatively small share of the population active in the workforce (less than 37 percent of county residents work). In short, Burnet County’s growth during the past decade has been driven in large part by the jurisdiction’s ability to attract retirees. To read the full report contact John Rees at jrees@capcog.org

Judge Cobb hosted the State of Hays County forum on June 3rd, 2011 and CAPCOG is currently working on the State of Williamson County and will continue to work with officials to present the information throughout the region. This project is part of the work CAPCOG does through its economic development program funded by the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. CAPCOG also develops a regional economic development plan (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy or CEDS) and provides direct support and technical assistance to member governments.

In the News

Annual Membership Meeting

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

CAPCOG will host its Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon at the Wyndham Garden Hotel at 3401 South IH-35 in Austin, Wed., Dec.14th, at 11:00 a.m. A complimentary buffet will be served for all invited.
The business meeting will include amendments to the CAPCOG Bylaws, which will allow up to two legislators to sit on the Executive Committee, and recommendations from the Nominating Committee for the 2012 Executive Committee members. The presentation will be Communities in the Region Come Together: The Bastrop County Fires recognizing those who played pivotal roles during the disaster, with comments from Bastrop County Judge Ronnie McDonald. Also, The Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award will be presented.

In the News

Central Texas Clean Air Coalition to Consider Revision of Local Air Quality Plan

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

In November, the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition (CAC) voted to address new challenges posed by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) more restrictive ground-level ozone standards. The CAC is a group of elected officials representing local governments in the five-county Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA that have committed to voluntarily adopt local ozone control measures such as vehicle inspection and maintenance programs, fleet optimization, and truck idling restrictions. The region’s current air quality plan, the 8-Hour Ozone Flex Program, which is in effect through 2013, was signed by city and county governments in the MSA, as well as by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the EPA. Since the plan was designed with the older 1997 ozone standard in mind and since EPA has recently announced that it will begin implementing a more restrictive standard adopted in 2008, the CAC decided that it was time to consider revisions to the plan. The region’s current ozone “design value,” which is used to determine if the region is in or out of compliance with an air quality standard, is 75 parts per billion (ppb), which just meets the current standard adopted in 2008 of 75 ppb.

Both EPA and TCEQ are being consulted to determine what options will be available to CAC for revising the agreement to continue implementation of existing measures and add enhanced measures to the existing plan to meet the new standard. Revisions are being considered by CAC to directly address the 75 ppb standard and to extend commitments to the plan out through the end of 2016, to coincide with when EPA is expected to revisit the ozone standard and make determinations as to whether areas are attaining that standard or not. CAPCOG staff will work with local stakeholders to develop a new set of emission reduction measures that the CAC will consider recommending for the new plan. This process will occur in the first part of 2012. Options for new measures will be discussed at the CAC meeting scheduled Jan. 12, 2012.

In the News

CAPCOG Helping to Improve Local Emissions Estimates

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Under a grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), CAPCOG is undertaking a series of efforts to help improve estimates of emissions from truck idling and a number of non-road engine categories including construction, agricultural, lawn and garden, industrial equipment, small-scale manufacturing fuel use, and the printing industry. Last year, CAPCOG identified these as sources of local air pollution for which the existing estimates used by the State could be substantially improved upon. The improved estimates for these sources will be used by CAPCOG and TCEQ to improve pollution modeling and evaluate the effectiveness of various strategies to reduce local ozone levels.

CAPCOG’s efforts at improving the estimates of these categories will include on-site observations, surveys, and data analysis. CAPCOG’s Air Quality Program staff will be reaching out to local governments in the region to assist with this effort to help ensure the most accurate estimates of local emissions possible. If you have expertise or data that can help in these efforts, including equipment counts, fuel use data, or other operating parameters, please contact Andrew Hoekzema, Air Quality Program Specialist, at (512) 916-6043 or ahoekzema@capcog.org.

Examples of non-road engine emissions

In the News

CAPCOG Honors and Brings Awareness of the Long Journey of Caregivers

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

November is the month to honor family caregivers of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and caregivers of all ages. In support of raising national and local attention to the issues facing caregivers Texas Governor Rick Perry and President Barack Obama signed the following proclamations (summarized).

Governors Proclamation – Family Caregivers Month, November 2011- Rick Perry

“Each November, an awareness campaign highlights the important contributions of family caregivers. At this time, I encourage all Texans to recognize the commitment and dedication of informal caregivers who make a profound difference in many lives. Through their selfless service, they exemplify the best of the Lone Star State. Therefore, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim November 2011 to be Family Caregivers Month in Texas, and urge the appropriate recognition whereof.”

Presidential Proclamation -- National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, November 2011—Barack Obama

"For millions of Americans, the heartbreak of watching a loved one struggle with Alzheimer's disease is a pain they know all too well. Alzheimer's disease burdens an increasing number of our Nation's elders and their families, and it is essential that we confront the challenge it poses to our public health. During National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, I call upon the people of the United States to learn more about Alzheimer's disease and to offer their support to the individuals living with this disease and to their caregivers.”

Presidential Proclamation -- National Family Caregivers Month, November 2011—Barack Obama

“Across our country, millions of family members, neighbors, and friends provide care and support for their loved ones during times of need. With profound compassion and selflessness, these caregivers sustain American men, women, and children at their most vulnerable moments, and through their devoted acts, they exemplify the best of the American spirit. During National Family Caregivers Month, we pay tribute to the individuals throughout America who ensure the health and well-being of their relatives and loved ones. I encourage all Americans to pay tribute to those who provide for the health and well-being of their family members, friends, and neighbors.”

In the News

FY 2011 Homeland Security Grants Approved

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The State of Texas has approved over one million dollars in funding to CAPCOG and its member jurisdictions from the federal Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). Since its inception, the HSGP has provided over $23 million to CAPCOG and its member jurisdictions. These funds have been used to purchase equipment, train personnel, conduct exercises, and develop plans to protect citizens of the region from natural and human-caused disasters, terrorist attacks, and other hazards.

The FY 2011 funding will be used to support CAPCOG’s ongoing Homeland Security program including staffing, coordination of regional homeland security activities, and maintenance of the regional Emergency Notification System (ENS) and WebEOC application.

Other funding has been allocated to support the Citizens Corps Program (CCP) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs in Bastrop, Burnet, and Hays Counties as well as the City of Cedar Park. The mission of the CCP is to assist individuals and communities in recovering from the effects of natural and human-caused disasters through the provision of community-based outreach and psycho-educational services. The CERT Program includes training and education in disaster preparedness for hazards that impact specific areas as well as basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

The remainder of the funding has been allocated to Burnet and Llano Counties for completion of the three-county regional radio system. When complete, this system will provide enhanced radio coverage and interoperability for public safety agencies in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano Counties. In addition, this system will be connected to the Greater Austin-Travis County Regional Radio System (GATRRS) that serves Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, and Lee Counties. The GATRRS is linked to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) radio system that is used by public safety agencies in Fayette and Hays Counties.

Based upon lessons learned during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, telecommunications interoperability has been a priority for HSGP funding. CAPCOG jurisdictions have received over $10 million to fund telecommunications projects since the inception of the program.

The list of approved projects for FY 2011 includes:

• CAPCOG Regional Planning - will continue our regional capabilities in Regional planning, coordination, and staff support to homeland security activities in the CAPCOG region; Specific activities are defined in the Statement of Work (SOW) issued by the SAA - $314,762.91;
• Maintain and enhance regional WebEOC and ENS projects - support local jurisdictions in the development and maintenance of systems needed to manage a catastrophic event. These include continued development and support of the regional WebEOC implementation and the regional Emergency Notification System. This program will build upon planning for the orderly growth and enhancement of the systems, as well as providing for enhancements to local operations. Development of policies and procedures and training for jurisdiction users (provided by CAPCOG staff) will continue as we add to the capabilities and users of these systems - $36,938.89;
• FireCAP Pre-Attack Planning Tools - project to define specific hazards, resource needs, and access issues for ten high-risk properties in five communities - $17,252,50;
• Burnet County CCP Program Phase II - To establish, train, and sustain a civilian workforce of volunteers through CERT Training and Medical Reserve Corp training and create the Burnet County Citizen Corps Program - $33,462.00.

In the News

Clean Energy Innovation? There may soon be an app for that…

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

New businesses are often the byproduct of high tech innovation – at least that was CAPCOG’s plan when it invested a regional innovation grant awarded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in the Pecan Street Project, a research organization focused on advancing smart grid technology. In 2009, EDA’s Austin Regional Office awarded CAPCOG, through its Economic Development District, a regional innovation grant as a visionary investment toward fostering economic development through innovation clusters.

Economic developers have recognized for years that regional clusters of businesses create a competitive advantage when geographic proximity ties together labor force, manufacturers, supply chain companies, as well as applied research, commercialization of technology, and business start-ups. Since Pecan Street Project was ramping up a pilot in the Mueller neighborhood that involved testing a smart energy grid including new products, software systems, digital communications for energy, and many other components of a consumer-driven energy management system, the organic development of a new business cluster seemed likely to CAPCOG’s economic development staff.

In October, Pecan Street Project Executive Director Brewster McCracken highlighted the organization’s progress during a presentation to the Capital Area Economic Development District (CAEDD) board. In the past two years, the Pecan Street Project has outfitted 200 homes with solar panels and supported the purchase or lease of 100 Chevy Volts by local residents. Additionally, nine major companies—including Best Buy, Sony, and Whirlpool—are currently using the Pecan Street Project to test new products that rely on the smart grid.

As McCracken stressed throughout the presentation, the ability of companies to solve customer problems via the smart grid will unleash exciting new advances in home security, energy management, and health care monitoring. He suggested that the smart grid technology could allow someone to monitor how well their aging parents might be doing, noticing that an upward trend of power use might mean mom and dad aren’t remembering to turn off their appliances. Or a parent could determine while out of town that the teenager left at home for the weekend might have had a party when the water usage spiked dramatically for a few hours on Saturday night.

The real challenge may be reinventing America’s electric system since the business model of most utility companies wasn’t designed to create an incentive for reduced use of energy. The Pecan Street Project will continue exploration of all these issues, but CAPCOG’s role in the economic development analysis is being wrapped up. In the coming months, CAPCOG will be releasing a report based on a series of white papers produced in collaboration with the Pecan Street Project that outline the many local opportunities associated with smart grid technology.

In the News

New PSAP Policy Adopted

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

During the budget discussions, the CAPCOG Executive Committee noted that while a policy exists for funding new PSAPs based on population and call volume, no policy existed for when PSAPs are “defunded.” During the November Executive Committee meeting, a revised PSAP Policy was adopted that addresses this issue; PSAPs that fall below the call volume criteria will no longer receive funding. The policy also has a time cycle for when and how the call volume will be monitored so that PSAPs falling below the criteria will be notified well in advance.

Gregg Obuch, CAPCOG’s Emergency Communications Director, pointed out that a local government can pick up the cost of funding a PSAP on its own, as Luling and Lago Vista are currently. In the case of the four PSAPs being partially funded by CAPCOG, the local jurisdictions provide the remaining funds. If three of the partially-funded PSAPs do not meet the minimum requirements set forth in the criteria, it could result in these no longer being partially funded by CAPCOG after Aug. 31, 2013. However, Mr. Obuch noted that population growth could make some of these PSAPs eligible for full funding by the time a decision must be made, assuming CAPCOG does not have additional cuts in 9-1-1 funding as a result of the 2013 Legislative Session. The revised policy can be found on CAPCOG’s website at http://www.capcog.org/divisions/emergency-communications/ under “PSAP Resources.”

In the News

CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Academy News

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Regional Law Enforcement Academy (RLEA) recently conducted a Basic Jailer Course in Blanco County in conjunction with the opening of the new Blanco County Jail. The class included eight new jailers for the Blanco County Sheriff’s Department and three jailers from the Llano County Sheriff’s Department. All corrections officers must be certified by TCLEOSE within one year of being hired to work in a corrections facility.

RLEA In-Service Training
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) requires Texas peace officers to acquire 40 hours of mandatory training every two years. Mandatory classes include Special Investigative Topics, Cultural Diversity, State and Federal Legislative Updates, and Intermediate Crisis Intervention. The RLEA is now posting upcoming classes for all required training.

State and Federal Legislative Updates is a critical course because all 52 new laws and amendments are currently in effect. The course includes several changes in the areas of Human Trafficking, Driving While Intoxicated, as well as Civil Process for county jailers.

RLEA will offer a New Supervisor course Dec. 13th-15th. This is a mandatory course for personnel who have been promoted into supervisory roles. The course covers best practices for managing difficult employees as well as how to motivate employees to improve overall performance.

Check the CAPCOG training website at http://www.training.capcog.org for more information including courses, dates and locations.

In the News

Public Meeting to Discuss Solid Waste Funding

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) invites interested individuals to attend a public meeting to discuss CAPCOG’s FY2012/2013 solid waste management activities and grants programs. For FY2012/2013, approximately $241,544 is available to local political subdivisions (e.g., cities, counties, school districts) to implement local and regional solid waste management projects. The public meeting will include discussion on the processes for selecting projects and consideration of private industry concerns.

The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the CAPCOG Pecan Room . CAPCOG is located at 6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165, Austin, Texas 78744. A map and directions to CAPCOG may be found on our website at http://www.capcog.org/about-capcog/directions-to-capcog

For more information, to RSVP, or to receive a copy of CAPCOG’s 2012/2013 Solid Waste Management Funding Plan prior to the meeting, please contact Solid Waste Program Manager Kelly Freeman at 512-916-6040 or kfreeman@capcog.org.

In the News

Use of Force Simulator Available to Local Law Enforcement Agencies

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

CAPCOG’s Regional Law Enforcement Academy’s (RLEA) Use of Force Training Simulator is available for area law enforcement agencies. The system is a state of the art training tool that is designed to effectively prepare law enforcement personnel to react appropriately in a variety of situations. It is not just a firearms simulator but is also a judgment evaluation tool that will enable your participants to train for all force options.

For information contact Director Mike Jennings or Chief Instructor Randy Holmes or call 512-916-6160.

In the News

CAPCOG Receives NADO Award

Friday, October 14, 2011

CAPCOG has been presented the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Innovation Award for the project completed last year Assessing Growth and Development in the Areas of Land Use, Water, Transportation, and Economic Development. NADO President Tim Ware made the presentation to CAPCOG Executive Director Betty Voights at the recent NADO Annual Conference in Florida. Ms. Voights noted that, while many COGs conduct similar analyses of growth in their regions, few have actually looked at the links between these four areas in the same study.

CAPCOG Receives NADO Award

In the News

First CAPCOG Jurisdictions Launching MyPermitNow

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

The San Marcos City Council approved the city’s adoption of MyPermitNow last month as their permitting and code enforcement software. San Marcos is the second city to approve purchase of MyPermitNow, joining Lago Vista, which approved the software earlier in August. Both municipalities plan to go live with MyPermitNow before the end of the calendar year. It is anticipated that by early 2012 up to ten CAPCOG jurisdictions will have begun the conversion to MyPermitNow.

MyPermitNow is the main program in a suite of software programs that allows jurisdictions to track permitting, addressing, code enforcement, subdivision, and zoning review as well as a number of other municipal functions. Foremost among the features that have made MyPermitNow attractive to the area’s jurisdictions is the program’s web-based nature which allows applicants, officials, and staff to submit or review plans, print permits, make payments, or otherwise track or follow up on a project from any computer with an internet connection. As such, MyPermitNow eliminates the need for paper plan sets and should reduce the cost of permit review for both local governments and developers as well as for homeowners who apply for permits. But perhaps most attractive about MyPermitNow is its simple pricing structure which charges based only on the number of permit cases generated while offering free setup, training, technical support, and program upgrades. This makes MyPermitNow more affordable than other competing products, which typically charge additional fees for setup, support, and conversion to new software releases.

CAPCOG offers MyPermitNow through a cooperative agreement with the South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC), a regional agency based in Houma, Louisiana. SCPDC develops and supports MyPermitNow while also utilizing it in the field, thanks to SCPDC serving as their region’s centralized permitting agency. CAPCOG has exclusive rights to market and distribute MyPermitNow in the Capital Area and adjacent regions in Central Texas.

If you are interested in learning more about how MyPermitNow can improve the permitting, code enforcement, and addressing processes in your city or county, please contact David Fowler, CAPCOG Senior Planner, at (512) 916-6165 or dfowler@capcog.org.

In the News

CARTPO Prioritizes Regional Transportation Projects

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

At its Sept. meeting, the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CARTPO) prioritized projects to be funded by the Austin District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) through a Proposition 12 bond. Since the funds allocated to the Austin District under Proposition 12 total $91 million, only a select set of the projects can receive funding. The purpose of CARTPO’s prioritization process was to provide input on which projects will best serve the needs of the ten-county Capital Area.

As a result of the scoring process, CARTPO gave highest priority to a project for US 290 from Giddings to the Bastrop County/Lee County line. CARTPO has ranked this project a top priority since 2000, along with two other segments of US 290. The remaining projects on the list include several key regional routes throughout the Capital Area. In addition to US 290, the routes that were identified as needing “immediate improvement” in several locations were SH 71, Interstate 35, FM 1431, and US 281. The complete ranking list from the CARTPO prioritization process is available on the CAPCOG website.

For projects to be included in the prioritization process, the project would need to be let by fiscal year 2013. In most cases this means that the projects on the list already have engineering, environmental clearance and right-of-way acquisition complete or substantially complete. In addition to the projects listed below, several other projects were submitted but eliminated from consideration after TxDOT indicated that they had already been scheduled for funding in a future year.

CARTPO is an organization that covers all 10 CAPCOG counties, including counties that are also in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO). The CARTPO process, however, will be the only process by which a voting body evaluates the relative merit of projects for the Proposition 12 bond throughout the Capital Area. CAMPO received a separate allocation of Proposition 12 funding for which CARTPO did not provide input.

For more information regarding CARTPO and the Proposition 12 project prioritization process, please contact David Fowler, CAPCOG Senior Planner, at (512) 916-6165 or dfowler@capcog.org.

In the News

Fires Increase Interest in Wireless Registration on CAPCOG Emergency Notification System

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

“Citizens interested in being notified of an emergency on their cell phones must register them with our Emergency Notification System (ENS); if someone has a landline phone, we have that,” explained Ed Schaefer, CAPCOG’s Homeland Security Director, who went on to explain that while registrations have been slow in past months, the recent wildfire outbreak resulted in 27,000 new listings!

Emergency personnel in six of CAPCOG’s ten counties—Bastrop, Burnet, Fayette, Hays, Travis, and Williamson—used the system to contact 9,025 phones in a two-day period. These included calls that were delivered to traditional landline phones and cell phones registered on the system. The messages delivered by the system ranged from notifications of a wildfire threat to the issuance of mandatory evacuation orders.

Two years ago residents of the ten-county CAPCOG Region were given the option of receiving notification on their cell phones of emergencies that affect their homes and businesses. These notifications are made by participating local governments through the CAPCOG regional Emergency Notification System (ENS).

In 2004, responding to requests from members of the CAPCOG Homeland Security Task Force, CAPCOG used a combination of homeland security grant funds and funds from participating local governments to implement the ENS. This system allows public safety personnel in participating jurisdictions to relay critical emergency information to citizens when human life or property is in danger.

Originally, the system would contact only landline phones since it relied on the 9-1-1 database that is managed by CAPCOG. With the increased use of cell phones, fewer households maintain traditional phone service and rely exclusively on their cell phones as their primary phone. To address the need to extend the availability of emergency notification to individuals without landline phone services, CAPCOG staff worked with a programmer to develop a web-based interface that allows individuals to register their cell phone and locate their residence on a map, extending the functionality of the CAPCOG ENS to cell phones.

An additional benefit of this service is that individuals may link their cell phone number to one or more locations, such as their place of business or the homes of relatives. If a participating local government activates the system for an area that contains a location that has been registered to a particular cell phone number, the system will contact that cell phone.

The addition of this service is part of CAPCOG’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the ENS is the most capable telephone-based notification system possible. Earlier this year, the capabilities of the system were expanded to include the ability to deliver a larger number of calls per hour, providing local officials with more options for notifying their citizens of emergency situations.

For more information about ENS, contact Ed Schaefer at 512-916-6026 or eschaefer@capcog.org.

In the News

Enthusiasm and Dedication to Service Formally Recognized at CAPCOG

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Executive Director Betty Voights presented the first award to recognize CAPCOG staff enthusiasm and dedication to service. The inaugural David Partlow Award was presented to David Partlow, the long-time CAPCOG staff member after whom the award is named. Ms. Voights said “Regardless of the assignment or task, David would work tirelessly on the activity to ensure that CAPCOG’s member agencies received the best assistance possible.”

The effort and thoughtfulness David put into his work at CAPCOG was unparalleled. Though David is no longer employed with CAPCOG, the spirit of his service to the ten-county CAPCOG Region will live on through the annual presentation of the David Partlow Award for Enthusiasm and Dedication to Service.

In the News

CAPCOG Responds to Bastrop County Fires

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

When wildfires burned over 34,000 acres in Bastrop County over Labor Day weekend, the county’s partners across the CAPCOG region responded to provide manpower, equipment, and expertise. The fires destroyed over 1,500 homes and killed two people.

Bastrop County officials used the CAPCOG regional Emergency Notification System (ENS) to send nearly 4,000 emergency messages, warning residents to evacuate. CAPCOG’s ENS enables emergency personnel in each of CAPCOG’s ten counties to provide targeted, timely warning messages to landline and cell phones.

In response to requests for assistance, members of the CAPCOG Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), joined by personnel from the Capital Area and Centex Incident Management Teams (IMT) as well as CAPCOG staff, responded to the Bastrop Convention Center. The Convention Center was the location from which fire suppression and recovery efforts were coordinated for the two weeks immediately following the fires. At least 13 of the 26 HSTF members and other personnel from Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis, and Williamson Counties responded assisting Bastrop County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Fisher and his staff with a multitude of critical tasks.

As the fires were brought under control, the magnitude of the debris management problem began to be recognized. By one estimate, at least one million pine trees were burned. This was compounded by the destruction of homes and other buildings.

Kelly Freeman, CAPCOG’s Solid Waste Program Manager, joined Bastrop County officials to begin organizing a coordinated response to debris management. Drawing on her prior experience with the Houston-Galveston Area Council, she provided critical insight into the logistical challenges of managing the large volume of debris and the maze of rules and regulations governing proper disposal.

Ed Schaefer, Director of Homeland Security, responded to the Bastrop Convention Center to support use of the CAPCOG WebEOC® installation. WebEOC® allows emergency response personnel from multiple jurisdictions to share critical information related to incident response. At the State of Texas’ request, the CAPCOG system was made available to them to use in processing requests for state and federal assistance.

Eddie O’Connor, CAPCOG GIS Analyst, worked with Bastrop County GIS and CAPCOG Homeland Security personnel to make the county’s GIS data, including the boundaries of the fire damage and the locations of destroyed homes, available to personnel logged in to the CAPCOG WebEOC® system.

In the News

CAPCOG Benefits Counseling Program Gears Up for Medicare Open Enrollment

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

CAPCOG Benefits Counseling Program is gearing up for Medicare Open Enrollment beginning Oct.15, 2011 through Dec. 7, 2011. Each year, people with Medicare have a broad array of health and prescription plans to choose from. This year, because of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act there are additional benefits and programs to consider. CAPCOG’s Area Agency on Aging Benefits Counselors are part of the Texas State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to educate, counsel, and assist Medicare beneficiaries. CAPCOG’s Benefits Counseling Program allows Benefits Counselors to answer questions about programs such as Medicare, Prescription Drug Plans, Supplement Insurance, Social Security, and help narrow down the broad array of choices.

During this Open Enrollment period, CAPCOG staff and volunteers are helping individuals navigate the decisions they are making. Benefits Counselors and volunteers are responsible for providing information, counseling, and assistance to Medicare enrollees on topics such as public and private health benefits, individual rights, legal issues, and consumer fraud. All residents of the ten-county CAPCOG Region aged 60 or older, as well as those who are Medicare-eligible regardless of age, are eligible to receive benefits counseling services.

To receive free one-on-one confidential counseling or to volunteer during the Open Enrollment period, ask for a Benefits Counselor when you call the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area: 1-888-622-9111 Toll free or (512) 916-6062 Austin local. More information can also be found at www.medicare.gov or on the 1-800-MEDICARE hotline.

In the News

CAPCOG Provides 2010 U.S. Census Training

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

As a designated Census Information Center, CAPCOG continually works to disseminate U.S. Census Bureau economic and demographic information throughout the region. CAPCOG also provides training to local economic development planning staff on how to access and analyze U.S. Census Bureau information.

With the release of Census 2010 data, the US Census Bureau unveiled a new tool to access demographic data, American FactFinder 2. In an effort to assist community and economic development personnel within the region, CAPCOG hosted a training session on American FactFinder 2. More than 40 community representatives attended the two-hour session on 2010 Census data and American FactFinder 2 . The training provided local officials and staff with the tools to download data and understand the applications and limitations of the data. The ability to access and utilize U.S. Bureau information is all the timelier with release of the most recent Census product.

In Sept., the U.S. Census Bureau released the results of the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS). Due to the elimination of the long form in the official 2010 Census, the 2010 ACS is now the county’s most comprehensive source of information on such vital topics as income, poverty, education, occupation, employment, and housing. The 2010 ACS is particularly important, as it provides an unparalleled picture of the recession’s impact at the first national, regional, and local level.

In order to accommodate individuals unable to attend the previous session, as well as provide an overview of the statistics contained in the 2010 ACS, CAPCOG will be hosting another U.S. Census Bureau training later this fall.

In the News

9-1-1 Centers Get Ready for the Nationwide EAS Test

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

On Nov.9, 2011, at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMS) will conduct the first-ever, nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). EAS alerts are transmitted over radio and television broadcast stations, cable television, and other media services. The purpose of this test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the system as a way to alert the public during nationwide emergencies. Although FEMA and the FCC are taking steps to ensure that broadcast announcements are made during the test, some people may not see or hear these announcements and, as a result, 9-1-1 Centers may receive calls. That is why both agencies are conducting various outreach activities to educate 9-1-1 Centers and other public safety agencies about the test. In addition, the FCC has established a website dedicated to the Nov. 9th test which can be found on the FCC website at www.fcc.gov/pshs.

In existence since 1994, the EAS is an alert and warning system designed to transmit emergency alerts and warnings to the public at the national, state, tribal, and local levels. EAS participants broadcast alerts and warnings regarding weather alerts, child abductions, and other types of emergencies. Although local and state components of the EAS are tested on a weekly and monthly basis, there has never been an end-to-end nationwide test or a national activation of the system. This simultaneous, top-down test of all components of the EAS on a nationwide basis will be conducted to ensure that the system will work as intended should public safety officials ever need to send an alert or warning to a large region of the United States.

On Nov. 9th at 1 p.m. CST, FEMA will transmit the EAS code for national emergencies. The EAS code and alert will be rebroadcast by broadcast stations and other service providers until it has been distributed throughout the entire country and U.S. territories.

What can local government agencies do to help? The FCC suggests a number of steps to prepare for the test. These include:

• getting the word out about the Nov. 9th test to state, tribal, and local 9-1-1 call centers, first responder agencies, and any other government agencies as appropriate;
• working with EAS participants in your state to ensure that your state’s EAS Plan is up to date; and
• participating in monthly tests of your state’s EAS.

Although the EAS test will be initiated by FEMA, local governments can use the test as an opportunity to educate appropriate public safety and other government officials and staff about the EAS, how it works, when it should be activated, and how to initiate an alert. Finally, the FCC asks local government officials to help inform residents within your jurisdictions in advance of the test, so that they will know what to expect. Although the nationwide test will be similar to typical monthly and weekly tests, there will be some differences. Most notably, the Nov. 9th test will be longer – approximately three minutes – compared to the usual two-minute monthly test.

In the News

2011 Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award

Friday, September 30, 2011

2011 Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award

Applications Due November 1, 2011

Regional cooperation is becoming increasingly more important to our communities as we work to address issues across city and county lines. The Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award was created to recognize a volunteer, community leader, or elected official who has made a significant effort toward regional cooperation within CAPCOG’s ten-county area.

Nominations are due by Nov. 1^st and the winner will be announced at the December General Assembly meeting. Past recipients of the award are Kirk Watson, former Mayor of Austin; Neal Kocurek, former Chairman of the Envision Central Texas project; Robert Huston, Chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Ray Sanders, Lockhart Mayor and current Executive Committee member; Bob Daigh, District Engineer of Texas Department of Transportation; former Austin-area Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, and Caldwell County Judge H. T. Wright.

The award is named for the first chairman of CAPCOG, former Bastrop County Judge Jack Griesenbeck, who understood the need for regionalism. Judge Griesenbeck was the first chairman of CAPCOG in 1970 and also played a key role in the creation of the Texas Association of Regional Councils, the state association serving 24 councils of governments.

Download Instructions and Application

In the News

CAPCOG Benefits Counseling Program Gears Up for Medicare Open Enrollment

Thursday, September 29, 2011

CAPCOG Benefits Counseling Program is gearing up for Medicare Open Enrollment beginning October 15, 2011 through December 7, 2011. Each year, people with Medicare have a broad array of health and prescription plans to choose from. This year, because of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act there are additional benefits and programs to consider. CAPCOG’s Area Agency on Aging Benefits Counselors are part of the Texas State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to educate, counsel, and assist Medicare beneficiaries. CAPCOG’s Benefits Counseling Program allows Benefits Counselors to answer questions about programs such as Medicare, Prescription Drug Plans, Supplement Insurance, Social Security and help narrow down the broad array of choices.

During this Open Enrollment period CAPCOG staff and volunteers are helping individuals navigate the decisions they are making. Benefits Counselors and volunteers are responsible for providing information, counseling and assistance to Medicare enrollees on topics such as public and private health benefits, individual rights, legal issues, and consumer fraud. All residents of the ten-county CAPCOG region age 60 or older as well as those who are Medicare eligible regardless of age, are eligible to receive benefits counseling services.

To receive free one-on-one confidential counseling or to volunteer during Open Enrollment period, ask for a Benefits Counselor when you call the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area: 1-888-622-9111 Toll free or (512) 916-6062 Austin local. More information can also be found on www.medicare.gov or on the 1-800-MEDICARE hotline.

In the News

CAPCOG Hires New Area Agency on Aging Director

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Jennifer Scott has been hired to take over as Director of the Area Agency on Aging in October when Glenda Rogers retires after fourteen years as Director preceded by three years as the AAA Program Specialist. Ms. Scott has worked in healthcare since 1984 and has focused much of her work on Alzheimers care issues. She is on the faculty of the Center for Health Services Education and a guest lecturer at UT’s Pharmacy School. She has been the administrator for assisted living facilities and has extensive knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid issues which are increasingly becoming a critical part of caring for seniors. Ms. Scott has also worked with foundations and has experience writing applications, managing funding and tracking performance which will be important to our programs in the future, according to Betty Voights, CAPCOG Executive Director.

“We are going to miss Glenda a lot and particularly her eternal quest for identifying additional programs that could serve the seniors of our region,” Voights said.

In the News

Locate Recycling and Waste Facilities Mapping Tool

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Newly added – if you see a this indicates newly added pharmaceutical drop off locations. Also note the turquoise markers which identify locations to drop off your electronics for recycling.

Finding nearby recycling or waste facilities has never been easier for Capital Area residents. The CAPCOG Solid Waste Program has developed an easy to use mapping tool (using Google Maps and Google Earth) to find the most convenient facility for you to drop off your recycling, household hazardous waste (HHW), or just about any household waste product. When the map opens simply click on the points in the map and find the facility nearest you! From there you will find contact information and/or links to a web page where you can obtain more information about the services offered.(1) If you see a $, this is a location where you may sell some of your recyclable materials.(2)

View Capital Area Recycling and Waste Drop-off Locations in a larger map

(1) PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO OUR MAP: This is the first running model of our map, and for now only includes recycling facilities that are owned by cities or counties in the ten county CAPCOG region. If you know of any recycling or waste collection points that are missing from our map please let us know by contacting Regional Environmental Task Force Coordinator, Ashley Fisher, at afisher@capcog.org. Locations of privately owned recycling and waste facilities in our region are coming soon!

(2) Not all recyclable materials accepted. Please contact facility for details.

In the News

CARTPO Prioritizes Road Projects for TxDOT Consideration

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

At its September 2, 2011 meeting, the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CARTPO) prioritized projects to be funded by money allocated to the Austin District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) through a Proposition 12 bond. Since the funds allocated to the Austin District under Proposition 12 total $91 million, only a select set of the projects listed below can receive funding. The purpose of CARTPO’s process was to register an option on which projects will best serve the needs of the 10-county Capital Area.

As can be seen in the chart below, the full version of which has been formally submitted to the TxDOT Austin District, CARTPO gave US 290 from Giddings to the Bastrop County line in Lee County highest priority. This project has been at or near the top of CARTPO’s prioritization processes since the organization began meeting in 2000. A glance at the remaining projects on the list demonstrates the importance of several key regional routes throughout the capital area. In addition to US 290, the routes that have been judged as needing immediate improvement in several locations are SH 71, Interstate 35, FM 1431 and US 281.

For projects to be eligible for the prioritization process, the ability to let the respective projects no later than fiscal year 2013 had to be in evidence. In most cases this means that the projects on the list have engineering, environmental clearance and right-of-way acquisition complete or substantially complete. In addition to the projects listed below, several other projects were submitted but eliminated from consideration after TxDOT had indicated that the projects had already been scheduled for funding in a future year.

CARTPO is an organization that covers all 10 CAPCOG counties, including counties that are also in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO). The CARTPO process, however, will be the only process by which a voting body expresses its opinion of the relative merit of projects for the Proposition 12 bond throughout the Capital Area.

For more information regarding CARTPO and the Proposition 12 project prioritization process, please contact David Fowler, CAPCOG Senior Planner at (512) 916-6165 or dfowler@capcog.org.

Rank	County	Project	Cost	Average Score	Running Total
1	Lee	US 290 Giddings to Bastrop Co. , reconstruct to 4 lane divided	$36,000,000	16.64	$36,000,000
2	Travis	SH 71 at Thomas Springs Rd. reconstruct 4 lane to 5 lane	$10,086,000	15.71	$46,086,000
3	Burnet	SH 71 .08 mi. W. of US 281, add center left turn lane	$503,775	15.57	$46,589,775
4	Bastrop	US 290, 8.9 miles E. of FM 696 reconstruct to four lane divided	$30,030,000	15.14	$76,619,775
5	Blanco	US 281 South of RM 32, add passing lane	$5,100,000	14.86	$82,892,775
6	Burnet	RM 1431 285' E. of Mustang Drive, add center left turn lane	$400,000	14.71	$83,292,775
7	Hays	FM 2439 from Centerpoint to Posey, reconstruct to 2 lane divided	$4,920,000	13.86	$88,212,775
8	Williamson	FM 1431 at Ronald Reagan Blvd, intersection improvements	$6,519,000	12.44	$94,731,775
9	Blanco	US 281 south of Johnson City, add passing lane	$4,565,000	12.33	$99,296,775
10	Hays	I-35 at Cement Plant Road, widen bridge	$3,690,000	11.8	$102,986,775
11	Travis	Loop 360 at Westlake Drive, construct intersection improvements	$5,227,500	11.75	$108,214,275
12	Travis	I-35 S. of Howard Lane, relocate exit and entrance ramps	$3,690,000	11.4	$111,904,275
13	Travis	Loop 1 N. of 360, restripe for aux. lane, construct bicycle bridge	$6,150,000	10.8	$118,054,275
14	Bastrop	SH 71 at Loop 150, construct overpass	$19,803,000	10.5	$137,857,275
14	Williamson	FM 1460 at Quail Valley, reconstruct to 4 lane divided	$25,338,000	10.5	$163,195,275
15	Williamson	IH 35 0.1 mile north of CR 312, replace bridge and approaches	$3,690,000	9.17	$166,885,275

In the News

Wildfire- Emergency Notification System Update

Monday, September 05, 2011

Due to the extreme wildfire danger we are experiencing a great demand for registration of cellular telephones on the CAPCOG Emergency Notification System. Under normal conditions, there may be a lag of several days for the registration of a cellular telephone on the CAPCOG Emergency Notification System. Due to the critical fire danger, we are attempting to speed up the process, but it may take a day or more for the registration to become active. Your landline phone should already be registered on the system. Residents can go to the website at http://wireless.capcog.org and following the instructions to add their information into the ENS cell phone registry.

In the News

2011 Texas Community Development Regional Allocations Announced

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

The Texas Department of Rural Affairs (TDRA) anticipates receiving a grant agreement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the 2011 Texas Community Development program in the amount of $66,604,562, a 16% reduction from the 2010 allocation amount. Upon receipt and execution of the HUD grant agreement, the 2011 allocation will be available to the State so that grant awards can be made. TDRA receives two years of funding for TxCDBG through HUD. The second year amount will be awarded in 2012.

2011 TxCDBG Allocation Amounts per Region

Alamo Area Council of Governments	$2,168,497
Ark-Tex Council of Governments	$1,563,883
Brazos Valley Council of Governments	$963,556
Capital Area Council of Governments	$1,517,917
Central Texas Council of Governments	$2,069,595
Coastal Bend Council of Governments	$1,205,015
Concho Valley Council of Governments	$687,444
Deep East Texas Council of Governments	$2,228,663
East Texas Council of Governments	$2,866,632
Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission	$973,272
Heart of Texas Council of Governments	$3,056,815
Houston-Galveston Area Council	$1,247,260
Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council	$1,907,936
Middle Rio Grande Development Council	$1,775,593
Nortex Regional Planning Commission	$4,422,507
North Central Texas Council of Governments	$954,731
Panhandle Regional Planning Commission	$1,451,739
Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission	$1,558,774
Rio Grande Council of Governments	$1,691,982
South East Texas Regional Planning Commission	$1,102,549
South Plains Association of Governments	$1,438,972
South Texas Development Council	$1,824,524
Texoma Council of Governments	$815,791
West Central Texas Council of Governments	$1,608,028

NOTE: The Texas Department of Rural Affairs (TDRA) has not received the official grant agreement from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); however, the above allocations are based on the amount that TDRA expects to receive.

In the News

Regional Law Enforcement Academy (RLEA) Training Update

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Basic Peace Officer Course
CAPCOG’s RLEA is currently conducting two Basic Peace Officer Certification (BPOC) classes, both of which are slated to graduate Sept. 23, 2011. Agencies interested in recruiting from either BPOC class are welcome to visit the academy. RLEA registration is now open for 2012 BPOC classes which begin Oct. 2011.

Academy Funding
The RLEA is able to offer affordable tuition rates primarily because of the grant received from the Criminal Justice Division, Governor’s Office. While this Legislative Session’s budgeting challenges threatened the stability of this funding, CJD has now provided formal notification that funding will be continued for two more years. The COG academies have been put on notice, however, that they likely will not receive this support after 2013.

Jailers Course
Registration is also under way for the Basic Jailer’s course to be held in Johnson City. This course follows the TCLEOSE-prescribed curriculum for Basic Jailer’s licensing. The course includes 96 hours of classroom instruction as well as the required defensive tactics and handcuffing practices.

Use of Force Simulator
The “Use of Force” training simulator is ready to hit the road again; agencies that did not participate this past year are encouraged to take advantage of this training opportunity. To schedule the use of the simulator, contact the RLEA Director, Mike Jennings, at 512-916-6164 or mjenning@capcog.org.

In-service Cycle Ends August 31st
The TCLEOSE training cycle is coming to an end Aug. 31, 2011; the RLEA has numerous mandated training sessions available up until then. Some of the required courses offered are State and Federal Legislative Updates, CIT, and Human Trafficking. For more information and a schedule of courses, visit https://training.capcog.org/.

In the News

CAPCOG Growth Assessment Wins Innovation Award

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) has announced that the CAPCOG Assessment of Growth and Development will receive an Innovation Award. NADO’s Innovation Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and partnering organizations for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation’s regions and local communities. The award will be presented at the association’s annual training conference Oct. 8th -11th in Miami.

The Growth Assessment project was top priority from CAPCOG’s strategic planning process with its Executive Committee two years ago and was completed last fall. This announcement recognizes the work of elected officials and city managers on the Growth Assessment Subcommittee, in coordination with CAPCOG administration and staff. The Assessment of Growth and Development combined an unprecedented study of the water supply for the ten-county Capital Area with projections related to population and job growth, road construction, and analyses of the scope and location of anticipated construction and school growth. The Assessment of Growth and Development makes extensive policy recommendations designed to be useful to all levels and sizes of local governments within the Capital Area.

“Creative projects like Assessment of Growth & Development in the Capital Region advance the economic growth and sustainability of our nation’s regions and communities. For more than 20 years, NADO’s Innovation Award has provided regional development organizations throughout the nation a unique opportunity to showcase their important work and their critical role in promoting economic development for rural and small metropolitan communities,” said NADO President Tim Ware, Executive Director of the Mid-East Commission in Washington, North Carolina.

The Assessment of Growth and Development can be accessed from the Publications menu of the Information Clearinghouse section of the CAPCOG website. For more information regarding the methodology or findings of the Assessment of Growth and Development, contact David Fowler, CAPCOG Senior Planner, at 512-916-6165 or dfowler@capcog.org.

In the News

CAPCOG General Assembly Will Vote on Adding State Legislator to Board

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

CAPCOG’s General Assembly Summer Membership Business Meeting and Luncheon will be held Wed., Sept. 14, 2011, at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 3401 S. IH-35, in Austin beginning with an 11 a.m. buffet followed by the business meeting. The business meeting will include approval of CAPCOG’s 2012 budget and work plan and the election of a Nominating Committee which will be charged with recommending membership for the 2012 Executive Committee.

Amendments to the CAPCOG Bylaws will also be considered to include, for the first time, a State Legislator on the Executive Committee as a result of legislation passed in this year’s 82nd Session. HB 2160 by Representative Garnet Coleman of Houston requires each of Texas’ 24 councils of governments to offer an ex-officio slot on their board to a State Legislator; while the bill takes effect Sept. 1st, most of the COGs must first amend their bylaws to change their board membership. The amendment that will be proposed at the General Assembly meeting would allow the Legislators from this region to select someone who is interested from among their delegation of 17 Senators and Representatives.

The General Assembly is the oversight governing body of CAPCOG composed of representatives from each of CAPCOG’s member organizations; it votes each December on an Executive Committee that will oversee CAPCOG’s program and administration operations for the upcoming year including budget and audit functions, approval of grant funding, and expenditure and contractual obligations.

In the News

Economic Development in Buda

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

The City of Buda was one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Texas during the past decade. Buda is currently preparing a new comprehensive plan to address its past and present growth trends. The Buda Economic Development Corporation (EDC) recently invited CAPCOG’s Community and Economic Director, John Rees, to facilitate a discussion on how the organization can best coordinate its efforts with the City of Buda on promoting economic development.

Working with the board of the Buda EDC and Executive Director Warren Ketteman, Mr. Rees assisted in identifying four primary goals to help further economic development within the city:

1. Support small businesses: Small and local businesses are extremely valuable to a local economy. The Buda EDC is currently exploring the possibility of establishing a “Buy Local” program as well as hosting a small business fair to generate greater support for existing small businesses.

2. Ensure continued infrastructure investment: Buda is currently tackling the widespread challenge of providing infrastructure that helps facilitate commerce and lessen congestion. Moving forward, the Buda EDC will continue to champion investments in sewer, water, and roadway infrastructure.

3. Increase business diversity: Because land use in the city is primarily residential, diversifying Buda’s land use is crucial in providing a greater balance to the tax base. The Buda EDC is currently looking to identify appropriate target industries such as logistics and healthcare to help diversify employment within the community.

4. Enhance downtown viability: Buda’s desire to enhance the viability of its downtown is a goal shared by many communities in the CAPCOG Region. By engaging relevant stakeholders, the EDC hopes to improve downtown Buda’s economic vitality.

The four priorities identified reflect the Buda EDC’s objective of promoting economic growth and development while preserving the community’s quality of life. By supporting small businesses, investing in infrastructure, increasing business diversity, and enhancing the viability of its downtown, the City of Buda and its Economic Development Corporation can join together to provide continued economic opportunity in Buda.

In the News

Wireless Registration Increases on CAPCOG Emergency Notification System

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Nearly 4,000 people have registered their cellular telephones on the CAPCOG regional Emergency Notification System (ENS). Two years ago residents of the ten-county Capital Area Council of Governments Region were given the option of receiving notification on their cell phones of emergencies that affect their homes and businesses. These notifications are made by participating local governments through the CAPCOG regional Emergency Notification System (ENS).

Originally, the system would contact only those with regular, land-line telephone service, since it relied on the 9-1-1 database that is managed by CAPCOG. With the rise in the popularity of cell phones, an increasing number of people no longer maintain traditional telephone service. Instead, they rely exclusively on their cell phones as their primary residential telephone. To address the need to extend the availability of emergency notification to people without land-line telephone services, CAPCOG’s staff worked with a programmer to develop a web-based interface that allows people to locate their residences on a map and thus receive emergency notifications. This interface was designed to extend the functionality of the CAPCOG ENS to cell phones.

An additional benefit of this service is that people may link their cell phone number to one or more locations, such as their place of business or the homes of relatives. The 3,829 cell phones currently registered are linked to 8,648 locations.

The addition of this service is part of CAPCOG’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the ENS is the most effective telephone-based notification system possible. Earlier this year, the capabilities of the system were expanded to include the ability to deliver a larger number of calls per hour, providing local officials with more options for notifying their citizens of emergency situations.

For more information about ENS, contact Ed Schaefer at 512-916-6026 or eschaefer@capcog.org.

In the News

The 10th Annual Striking a Balance Conference

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Striking a Balance Guiding Caregivers for 10 years

The 10th Annual Striking a Balance conference for caregivers is fast approaching; mark your calendars. The conference will take place at the Norris Conference Center in Austin. In a slight variation from recent years, the conference will be held on two separate days—the first day for Aging professionals and the second for family caregivers.

Dr_Jamie_Huysman On Fri., Sept. 9th, Dr. Jamie Huysman, a leading expert on caregiver issues, will highlight the Standards for Social Work Practice with Family Caregivers of Older Adults, which was released by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in Nov. 2010. In addition, he will speak on compassion fatigue and mental health as well as addictions and co-addictions in caregiving. Continuing Education Units will be provided to social workers for this portion of the conference.

On Sat., Sept. 10th, Dr. Huysman will be the keynote speaker for the family caregiver portion of the conference. The day will also include workshops on subjects of interest to all caregivers, with experts available for questions. A copy of Voices of Caregiving: The Healing Companion will be provided to each caregiver. Respite care will be available with a reservation at Elderhaven Adult Day Care.

This annual event is organized and staffed by CAPCOG’s Area Agency on Aging, staff from AGE (Austin Groups for the Elderly), and WellMed Charitable Foundation. Every year participation in this event increases as a result of growing interest among the CAPCOG Region’s caregiving community.
For additional information, please contact Shannon Roecklein at 512-916-6182.

In the News

New Responder Services Display for VoIP 9-1-1 Callers

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

The Emergency Communications Division continued migration towards Internet Protocol (IP) based services with the deployment of enhanced location services for users of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone services. Until this upgrade, all VoIP calls into CAPCOG Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) would display the caller’s location on the PSAP mapping screen; however, only limited 9-1-1 database information would be delivered with the call. Information from the 9-1-1 database was not available and the call-taker would have to verify the caller’s location as shown near the bottom of Figure 1.

Figure 1. Existing Call Taker VoIP Display Solution

As displayed at the bottom of Figure 2, the upgraded service provides the call taker with both the location information and specific responder data from the 9-1-1 database. The upgrade allows VoIP callers to receive the same information existing for traditional landline telephone callers. CAPCOG was one of the first regions to test the new solution. Initial testing was completed in January and included Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. Deployment is now underway in the rest of the region and throughout the state. As VoIP companies prepare to transition their equipment to the new platform, CAPCOG PSAPs are prepared to receive the new level of service.

Figure 2. Upgraded Call Taker VoIP Display

In the News

Regional Training Center

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Upcoming Classes
In addition to the training that takes place at the CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Academy (RLEA) which provides a Basic Peace Officer Certification (BPOC) and other in-service law enforcement classes, the CAPCOG Regional Training Center (RTC) conducts training for city/county officials and staff throughout the region. The following highlights three upcoming workshops.

The RTC will host an Elected Officials Workshop on Thur. and Fri., Aug. 11th and 12th, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the CAPCOG Pecan Room. The workshop is targeted to mayors and city council members, citizen board, commission, and committee members as well as appointed staff. Elected officials can earn up to 11.4 CEU credits certified by the Texas Municipal League for completing the workshop.

The first day of the workshop is geared towards newly-elected city officials and includes an overview of the structure of city government, council or parliamentary procedures, roles of elected and appointed officials, open meetings, procedures for making good public policy, and conflicts of interest. The second day presents information that is vital to any elected or appointed official in Central Texas. Topics include regional growth (how, when, and where we are growing), local economic development (how to evaluate the benefits and costs of a project), how to find and keep good police officers, and more. The fee for the two-day workshop is $60 and the fee for the one-day workshop is $40 and will cover the cost of meals and materials.

The CAPCOG Department of Community and Economic Development is hosting a two-hour workshop on the U.S. Census tool American Fact Finder 2. As a designated Census Information Center, CAPCOG helps disseminate data and information from the U.S. Census Bureau. With the release of Census 2010 data, the US Census Bureau has deployed a new method of accessing data, American Fact Finder 2. Unfortunately, both novice and experienced users have reported difficulty in using the new tool.

In an effort to assist community and economic development personnel within the region, the Regional Training Center will be hosting an American Fact Finder 2 Training on Aug. 4th, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., at the CAPCOG Agave Room. Officials from the U.S. Census Bureau will provide an overview of 2010 data releases and the American Community Survey, as well as a live demonstration on how to use the new American Fact Finder 2 tool. This training is geared towards economic development staff interested in accessing economic and demographic information regarding their respective communities.

The CAPCOG Regional Services Department, Solid Waste Division, is partnering with the City of Austin Solid Waste Services and Austin Energy to conduct a training and tour featuring three Austin-area construction and demolition (C&D) material processing facilities: 973 Materials, I.E.S.I. (Progressive Waste Solutions), and Texas Disposal Systems (TDS). These facilities are among several in the CAPCOG Region that process C&D materials including concrete, asphalt shingles, lumber, metal, wall board, masonry, and more. The facilities reduce waste sent to the landfill and assist in meeting the green building requirements set forth by Austin Energy Green Building and the U.S. Green Building Council. The workshop is geared toward the building industry, local government waste reduction programs, and C&D material haulers.

The event is scheduled for Sept. 21st, starting at 1:00 p.m. and returning to Hornsby Bend at 4:45 p.m. There is no charge for the event, but seats are limited. For more information on registration or a full listing of CAPCOG training, visit the training website at www.training.capcog.org or contact Sabina Mora at smora@capcog.org or 512-916-6045.

In the News

State of the County 2011

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The CAPCOG Community and Economic Development Department is currently developing a State of the County Report for each of the ten counties in the CAPCOG region. The purpose of the State of the County initiative is to provide county-specific information on demographic and economic trends to community leaders who are planning for major population growth.

The release of 2010 population counts by the U.S. Census Bureau confirmed that the Capital Area has experienced explosive growth during the past decade and current projections indicate continued growth in the years ahead. Since 2000, the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) experienced the third-highest rate of population growth among all U.S. metropolitan areas with at least one million residents. With approximately 75 percent of this growth occurring outside of the City of Austin, accommodating population increases while advancing sustainable economic development has become one of the primary challenges for smaller communities throughout the Capital Area.

John Rees, Director of Community and Economic Development at CAPCOG, is working with county officials to promote the State of the County presentations in a series of forums for cities, chambers of commerce, and other relevant organizations. Judge Cobb of Hays County hosted one forum on June 3rd. The Hays State of the County presentation included highlights in population, demographic make-up and changes, employment characteristics of workers, as well as information on major industries, commuting patterns and educational attainment. CAPCOG is currently working on the State of Williamson County and State of Burnet County presentations and will continue to work with officials to present the information throughout the region.

This project is part of the work CAPCOG does through its economic development program funded by the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. CAPCOG also develops a regional economic development plan (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy or CEDS) and provides direct support and technical assistance to member governments.

For more information or for copies of the report, contact John Rees at jrees@capcog.org

In the News

Homeland Security Funded Assets Assist First Responders with Oak Hill Fire

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Media reports in April featured an out-of-control situation which started from a campfire. Due to dry conditions and high winds, a raging wildfire was sparked in a greenbelt abutting an Oak Hill residential area of southwestern Austin. Faced with possible loss of life, Incident Commanders on the scene ordered the evacuation of homes in the threatened areas and Austin Police Department Communications personnel activated the CAPCOG Regional Emergency Notification System (ENS) sending telephone messages to nearly 3,000 homes and businesses in the threatened area; this included 20 people who had registered their cellular telephones on the system. Two Star Flight helicopters deployed to fight the blaze, making 69 120-gallon water drops on homes, flare-ups, and into areas ground crews could not reach. A mobile fuel trailer, purchased through Homeland Security grant funding provided by CAPCOG, enabled STAR Flight to refuel twice on-site saving precious time and possible lives.

In total, 100 firefighters and 30 fire trucks from five agencies activated, including the Texas Forest Service which deployed two C-130 Air Force Jets out of Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, to drop 6,000 gallons of red-tinted chemical fire retardant on the area.

According to Jim Carse, Public Information Officer for the Texas Forest Service, a total of 100 acres burned affecting 164 homes, destroying eight homes and severely damaging 10 homes. There were no injuries.

Through its Homeland Security Program, CAPCOG has targeted funding for equipment critical to these types of emergency events in the region; since the program began in 2003, CAPCOG has coordinated the allocation of more than $30 million in federal Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funds to 93 communities. These funds have been used to purchase equipment for first responders, provide training, and conduct planning and other preparedness activities. This includes nearly $200 thousand CAPCOG has spent on implementing and maintaining the ENS.

In the News

DEBATE OVER REGION’S IMPACT ON AIR QUALITY COMPLICATED AS CAPCOG’S PROGRAM FACES 50% CUT IN FUND

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

CAPCOG’s Air Quality program is facing a 50% cut in funding due to state budget cuts. Since the program began a decade ago, it has been funded primarily through a state grant for “near-nonattainment areas” that is designed to help keep areas that were close to exceeding the ozone air quality standards in attainment of those standards. This funding has allowed CAPCOG to work with local governments to develop local air quality plans while keeping the area in attainment of ozone standards. The Austin area has seen a dramatic improvement in ozone levels since the beginning of the program, with levels dropping from 89 parts per billion (ppb) in 2000 to 74 ppb in 2010, a 17% decrease. The improvement in ozone levels in Austin has outpaced most of the other areas of the state, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area (16%), the Beaumont-Port Arthur Area (15%), the Victoria-Corpus Christi area (12%), and the San Antonio area (11%) over the same time period.

The near-nonattainment area grant (known as “Rider 8”) has played an integral role in this improvement. With this grant, CAPCOG has funded a variety of technical, planning, and outreach activities over the years. CAPCOG’s technical projects have included operation of six ozone monitors to supplement the two monitors operated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), special airborne and mobile monitoring projects, development of improved estimates of emissions, and ozone modeling and data analysis. These technical projects have helped CAPCOG work with local jurisdictions to develop local air quality plans, including the 1-Hour Ozone Flex Plan, the Early Action Compact, and the 8-Hour Ozone Flex Plan. CAPCOG plans an ongoing role in providing staff support for the Clean Air Coalition, a group of local elected officials from Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties representing jurisdictions that participate in the Ozone Flex Plan. The Rider 8 grant has also enabled CAPCOG to conduct extensive outreach to the public and various stakeholders in the region.

The 50% funding cut will come at a time when the Austin area faces the imminent prospect of becoming a nonattainment area due to more stringent air quality standards. In Jan. 2010, EPA proposed to lower the ozone standard from 75 ppb (set in 2008) to a range of 60-70 ppb. After several delays in finalizing the standard, EPA now expects the standard to be finalized in July 2011. After EPA sets the standard, it has up to two years to designate areas as either attaining or not attaining the standard (nonattainment areas). Once an area is designated as nonattainment, the State is required to develop a plan to bring the area into attainment. The plan for the Austin area would need to rely heavily on the monitoring data, emissions inventory projects, and modeling undertaken by CAPCOG. With a 50% cut in funding, however, CAPCOG would need to dramatically scale back these crucial activities. The lack of high-quality local data could result in less accurate modeling of future ozone levels which can, in turn, make any ozone plan less effective and more costly to implement for local businesses, governments, and citizens.

In order to offset these lost revenues, CAPCOG has begun asking local jurisdictions to help fund some of these technical projects. These technical projects will help local jurisdictions gain cleaner air more quickly at less cost than what will be possible if the region has to rely solely on EPA or TCEQ, as their priorities may be more focused on the Houston and Dallas areas. The region’s air quality plans have been a model of success in achieving clean air at reasonable cost. In order to continue this progress and retain access to data assessment and technical planning capability with a regional focus, local jurisdictions may want to consider the benefits of assisting in the financial support for CAPCOG’s Air Quality program.

In the News

GeoMap 2012 – First Call for Projects

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Geospatial Base Mapping (GeoMap) Project coordinates cooperative purchasing of geospatial products, garnering discounts based on volume, and reducing duplicative efforts across the region. GeoMap’s regional coordination leverages tax payer and industry dollars to acquire accurate data at an unbeatable price. Historically, project participants have received several dollars of data for every dollar contributed. Geospatial products include aerial imagery, LiDAR, contours, building footprints, vegetation, and land cover to name a few. These products are critical to many applications including, but not limited to, regional planning, conservation, ecology, growth assessment, E-911, Homeland Security, emergency management, and disaster response.

With GeoMap there is no need to make requests for proposals (RFP), CAPCOG has completed the process and chosen an established and reputable vendor that provides the products and services needed for the current year’s anticipated projects. CAPCOG also handles the contract management with the vendor, as well as coordinates quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) services. These services ensure accurate products are delivered on time and contractual obligations are met, saving your organization time and resources and ensuring a quality product is delivered.

There is currently interest in six-inch and twelve-inch resolution aerial imagery (6” and 12” orthophotos) in the region, which will bring about cost-sharing and volumetric discounts to all participants. The first Call for Projects for GeoMap 2012 is June 1st. Anyone interested will have access to an interactive map which will show current areas of interest of regional participants and allow users to input their prospective areas of interest. Cost estimations will calculate on the fly, letting the user know how to target their areas of interest in the most cost-efficient manner. The online tool will allow users to enter various areas of interest and see what the cost estimate would be for those areas. As more participants join in, discounts will increase with increasing square mileage, saving money or extending the geographical extent of the project.

For more information regarding GeoMap 2012 please contact Eddie O’Connor (512.906.6033 or eoconnor@capcog.org).

In the News

Texas Silver Haired Legislators Announced

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Capital Area Election Steering Committee, in cooperation with the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area, is pleased to announce the names of the Texas Silver Haired Legislators for the Capital Region.

The Texas Silver Haired Legislature (TSHL) was established in 1985 and is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization comprised of 116 representatives elected by Texans 60 years and older to serve a two-year term. The TSHL motivates, engages, and educates older Texans in the legislative process and works closely with members of the Texas Legislature to advocate for passage of legislation that impacts older Texans.

The Capital Region will be represented in the 14th Texas Silver Haired Legislative Session by the following individuals. They serve at-large for the entire ten-county region. Feel free to contact them with concerns regarding legislative issues of importance to older adults:

Carlos Higgins
10712 Fountainbleu Circle, Austin, TX 78750 carlostx@sbcglobal.net

Paula Johnson
PO Box 92612, Austin, TX 78709 paulapoj@yahoo.com

Sandy Graham
7713 Palacios Dr., Austin, TX 78749 tshleg@gmail.com

Cecilia Crossley
3100 Catalina Dr., Austin, TX 78741 cecejc@aol.com

Carol Peters
36 Mill Street, Maxwell, TX 78656 capeters12@austin.rr.com

In the News

Census Provides Less Information

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Since 1940, the US Census Bureau has supplemented the "short form" involving basic questions regarding age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin with a "long form" that covered socioeconomic and housing characteristics of the American people. During the past 60 years, the long form census has become an increasingly rich source of demographic information. From average commute times to educational attainment to migration patterns, every decade the US Census Bureau has produced a remarkably detailed portrait of our country.

The 2010 Census eliminated the long form. The result is one of the least descriptive census counts in American history. Most individuals answered just seven questions: name, gender, race, ethnicity, and whether they sometimes live somewhere else. Heads of households were also asked how many people lived in the residence and whether they resided in a house, apartment, or mobile home. As a result, the 2010 Census will not contain any information on incomes, poverty status, education, occupation, employment status, home values, or disabilities.

In place of the decennial census long form, the US Census Bureau launched the American Community Survey (ACS). For regions with more than 65,000 residents, the ACS will publish demographic, housing, social, and economic data on an annual basis. Information on communities with 20,000 or more people will be published using three-year estimates. For example, the proportion of residents living in poverty will be reported as the average of years 2007, 2008, and 2009. Finally, data on communities with fewer than 20,000 residents will be published as five-year estimates.

The primary limitation of the ACS is that is it is based on a smaller sample size than the previous census long form. Although this methodology is less expensive to deploy, it creates significant margins of error for smaller communities and geographies. For places with fewer than 20,000 residents, large portions of data may be suppressed due to statistical limitations. Additionally, identifying certain trends may become more difficult for information published as multi-year averages. Despite these limitations, the ACS will remain the country’s most comprehensive source of demographic, housing, social, and economic data.

For questions relating to US Census Bureau information, please contact John Rees, Director of Community and Economic Development, at jrees@capcog.org or 512.916.6183.

In the News

Emergency Call Tracking System Installed

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The 33 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in the CAPCOG Region have completed training on the newly installed Emergency Call Tracking System called ECaTS. Until now, extracting meaningful information from the statistics, facts, figures, numbers, call records, and call taker data contained in the 9-1-1 system throughout the ten-county CAPCOG Region has always been an arduous, time consuming task.

ECaTS was designed by Direct Technology specifically for the state of California’s 9-1-1 system, and CAPCOG is the first 9-1-1 entity to implement ECaTS in the state of Texas. ECaTS is built on the concept of simplicity with its user-friendly reporting module providing simple, direct reporting options. Authorized users are able to generate near real-time information by simply selecting the type of report, the timeframe, and PSAP to be used in the report. The system then accesses the Digital Technology enterprise servers to generate the report directly over a secure Internet connection.

PSAP managers will have access to a wide range of standard reports including information such as Call Summary Reports, Number of Calls per Hour, Top 20 Busiest Hours, Call Duration, and various other statistical reports. To meet our reporting needs, Digital Technology is adding call-taker level reports to the system. In addition to the standard reports usually found in 9-1-1 MIS packages, ECaTS includes a wide range of management reports. These reports specifically address the requirements of the PSAP managers and CAPCOG staff and enable them to accurately evaluate the performance of the 9-1-1 system.

Some of the key management reports include:
• Trunk Group Utilization Report – Provides an in-depth analysis of call volume per trunk and trunk group. Managers can review and determine if PSAP trunks are being utilized at appropriate rates (for example: Are they hunting correctly? reaching capacity resulting in possible busy signals? Is the PSAP over trunked?).
• Speed of Answer Report – Provides a clear scorecard of PSAP answering performance based on the National Emergency Number Association 90/10 rule – 90% of the calls should be answered in 10 seconds or less.
• Daily and Monthly Outage Report – Provides detailed information on the up-time and availability of the data collection system.
• Redirected Wireless Calls – This report provides a statistical analysis on all wireless tower faces and shows calls picked up by a particular wireless face that are transferred to another PSAP. This information may be used by CAPCOG staff to identify and correct misrouted wireless calls to improve call handling efficiency.

ECaTS also includes an ad-hoc reporting module that provides users with the capability to generate any report, as needed, with minimal computer skills. The module incorporates a user interface with check boxes and drop-down lists for generation of analytical reports directly out of the PSAP’s database.

During the next 60 days the system will be undergoing the validation phase while final adjustments are put in place. As training was completed at each PSAP, the staff was impressed with the ease of use and very excited and eager to use the new reporting tool.

In the News

LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY CONTINUES 100% PASS RATE

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

CAPCOG’s Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy (RLEA) exceeded its past performance last month when it graduated two Basic Peace Officer classes in the same week and both achieved a 100% first-attempt pass rate on the state-mandated TCLEOSE test. Cadet Class 58 (night class) and Cadet Class 59 (day class) graduated during ceremonies at the State Capitol in April as our region gained 56 new Texas Peace Officers.

The end of the two-year TCLEOSE training cycle is approaching and the RLEA has set in-service training through the fourth quarter of this year. The RLEA will be hosting and conducting mandated courses such as State and Federal Laws Updates, Human Trafficking, and the entire intermediate core course during the summer months. The complete list of up-coming courses and registration can be viewed on our web site at www.capcog.org.

CAPCOG’s RLEA is also preparing to hold a basic jailer’s course in September which will be open to all agencies in our region and will be hosted by the Blanco County Sheriff’s Office. Seating is limited and early registration is encouraged.

CAPCOG’s “Use of Force” simulator has now made it completely around the region as its time wraps up in Caldwell County. CAPCOG will begin developing a schedule for use of the simulator beginning again July 1st, so all agencies interested in scheduling this training system should contact Michael Jennings at 512-916-6164 or mjennings@capcog.org.

In the News

Honoring Seventeen Years of Service

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Glenda Rogers, Director of Aging Services of the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area, was recently honored during the bi-monthly Meals on Wheels and More board meeting for her assistance in developing the Country Wheels Program.

Ms. Rogers was instrumental in the development of the program in partnership with Meals on Wheels and More. The program, implemented in January, 2005, is designed to provide weekly meal delivery of seven frozen meals to rural, isolated clients unable to be served by the traditional hot meal programs. In addition to nutritious meals, the weekly contact by trained delivery staff helps to ensure the safety and well-being of the clients.

To honor Ms. Rogers for seventeen years of service to seniors and the implementation of the Country Wheels Program, Tim Hayden, Board Chair, and Dan Pruett, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels and More, presented a Crystal Summit award to Ms. Rogers and announced the renaming of the program as the “Glenda Rogers Country Wheels Program.”

Among those attending the award ceremony for Ms. Rogers were members of her family, friends, and staff members of the Meals on Wheels and the CAPCOG Area Agency on Aging.

In the News

Elected Officials Urged to Attend June 3rd Forum

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The first regional forum for the HUD Sustainable Communities Project targeted to city and county elected officials is set for June 3rd at the Thompson Center; if communities are interested in getting a Demonstration Site designation and the opportunity for consulting and analytical services at no cost to the local jurisdiction, participation at this event is encouraged. These services are being made available by the HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant to jurisdictions that host one or more of CAMPO’s 37 Activity Centers listed in the 2035 Transportation Plan.

The goal of the Demo Sites will be to develop or redevelop an area primarily located in the Activity Center to better accommodate a surge in growth over the next few years as the region continues to add about 50,000 people annually. More than half of the growth is now occurring outside the City of Austin, according to new Census Data, so outer ring cities can use this project as an opportunity to maximize the impact of adding residents. Funding for the Demo Site Planning as well as a new IBM Analytics Tools is being made available through the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant, a new program representing the collaboration of HUD with EPA, DOT, USDA, and EDA in an effort to encourage integrated planning at the regional level. CAPCOG received a grant of $3.7 million on behalf of the five-county MSA and a regional consortium of local governments, regional agencies, non-profits, and other stakeholder groups who are developing the project’s work plan.

“Since evaluation of the Demo Site applications will take into consideration the commitment and likelihood of implementation by a jurisdiction, we may be less likely to select a project that appears to be purely staff driven; we will be looking for evidence that the elected officials are engaged,” commented Betty Voights, Executive Director of CAPCOG which is the lead agency for the project.

Chad Coburn has been hired by CAPCOG to manage all aspects of the HUD Planning Grant and has experience in project management, state and federal grants, environmental projects, and working directly with local governments which made him a good fit for this project, according to Voights. Prior to this position, Chad managed comprehensive planning, transportation, and environmental projects at GrantWorks and is a graduate of UT’s community and regional planning program with a specialization in housing. Email Chad at ccoburn@capcog.org or call him at 512.916.6012.

After the June 3rd introductory forum, a second regional forum will be conducted to provide guidance on how the Demo Sites will be selected in October which will include a formal application process. Consultant services will be contracted after the beginning of 2012 and development of the IBM analytics tool, being managed by the City of Austin with guidance from UT, is ongoing. The tool will allow community leadership to run “what if” scenarios as they plan for growth and development.

The Consortium Steering Committee members include CAMPO, CapMetro, CARTS, Envision Central Texas, the cities of Austin, Round Rock, and San Marcos, along with CAPCOG.

In the News

CATS Consortium Update

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Chad Coburn has been hired by CAPCOG as the Program Manager for the CATS Consortium Sustainable Communities Project and begins that role on Monday, May 23rd. Chad’s experience in project management, state and federal grants, environmental projects, and working directly with local governments made him a good fit for this project, according to CAPCOG Executive Director Betty Voights, who added that while other CAPCOG staff will stay involved, Chad will take over as the lead and primary contact. Prior to this position, Chad managed comprehensive planning, transportation, and environmental projects at GrantWorks and is a graduate of UT’s community and regional planning program with a specialization in housing. Email Chad at ccoburn@capcog.org.

June will begin the first phase of the implementation portion of the Project. To date, all meetings held have been focused on finalizing the work plans, developing MOUs required by HUD for Consortium members, and getting contracts in place with UT and City of Austin to oversee development of the Sustainable Places Analytics Tool by IBM. On June 3rd, the first regional forum will be held at the UT Thompson Center to introduce the Sustainable Communities Project to city and county officials from the five-county MSA who host one of CAMPO’s 37 Activity Centers. The Centers concept was introduced in the 2035 Transportation Plan adopted by CAMPO last year and is a modified version of Envision Central Texas’ growth scenarios from 2004.

Cities and counties will be invited to submit their respective Activity Centers to be selected as Demonstration Sites and receive consulting services and analyses of planning scenarios with the new Analytics Tool. A second regional forum will be held June 24th to walk all Demonstration Site applicants through the application process. The CATS Consortium Steering Committee expects to announce 5-7 Demo Sites in October that will represent a mix of small, medium, and large communities.

Click here for all CATS updates.

In the News

CAPCOG to Offer MyPermitNow Software to Member Cities and Counties

Thursday, March 31, 2011

CAPCOG, in conjunction with The South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC) in Louisiana, is now offering MyPermitNow to our cities and counties. MyPermitNow is a web-based permitting software that provides project tracking for construction projects and is customizable to a local government’s needs with the capability of storing plans, photos, and relevant documents. Specifically, it allows online permit submission, processing, and automated notifications through the entire permitting process, starting with the submission of building documents through the issuance of a permit to the permitting of occupancy.

There is no initiation charge and the annual fee is low and based on the actual number of permits issued annually by your local government. Additionally, there is absolutely no charge for technical support for licensees of MyPermitNow. As such, MyPermitNow should offer our region’s local governments substantial savings over purchasing or independently developing software programs to track their permitting processes. CAPCOG held a demonstration and information session in March to demonstrate the program and features; follow-up demonstrations are being scheduled for individual cities interested in using the software.

The service also offers archiving of past documents and records to maintain continuity in your government’s record keeping. As such, MyPermitNow is ideal for creating a “paperless” permitting process. This software can even be used to facilitate input from third-party inspectors, such as the inspectors with whom counties which have recently entered into inspection programs must interface. MyPermitNow also offers code enforcement and addresseing software programs in which governments may also participate if they feel it will meet their needs.

CAPCOG is able to offer this through a special arrangement with SCPDC in Louisiana. SCPDC developed this tool in response to the higher levels of plan review and permit tracking that became mandatory in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Thanks to an agreement with SCPDC, CAPCOG is the first council of governments in Texas to offer MyPermitNow and has exclusive vendor rights in the Capital Area.

Please contact David Fowler, CAPCOG Regional Senior Planner, at (512) 916-6165 or dfowler@capcog.org for more information about MyPermitNow.

In the News

CAPCOG to Improve Air Quality Monitoring Capabilities

Thursday, March 31, 2011

This year the region will have a new air quality monitoring station located at the main offices of the Hutto Independent School District. The new site will be outfitted with equipment to monitor levels of ozone, nitrogen oxides (NOX), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), and to monitor meteorological conditions. The new Hutto monitoring station is ideally located to detect elevated pollution levels transported into the area with a northeast wind flow and should assist the CAPCOG Air Quality staff, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in determining what impact the emissions from upwind sources may be having on local ozone levels.

An analysis was performed by the University of Texas Center for Energy and Environmental Research (UTCEER) to evaluate meteorological conditions associated with high ozone levels in the region. The study found that the frequency of occurrence of easterly and/or northeasterly winds was higher for the >= 70 ppb ozone range compared to the 60 – 64 ppb and 65 – 69 ppb ozone ranges, and such conditions usually occurred in the late Aug. through Oct. time period. The report for the study can be viewed at: http://www.capcog.org/documents/airquality/cac/2010/september2010/Austin_CM_ver21.pdf

CAPCOG Air Quality staff can use data from the new Hutto site to determine the impacts on the region of sources located to the north and east. If high ozone levels are accompanied by high levels of NOX and SO2 at the new Hutto monitoring station, this would indicate that upwind coal-fired power plant plumes were involved in contributing to the ozone levels. This data can then be compared to data from “downwind” monitoring sites, such as the one in Dripping Springs, to measure the impact of local emissions. In most cases the existing monitoring data indicate that the air entering the CAPCOG region already has fairly high ozone levels when local regulatory monitors are measuring high ozone. This monitoring station will provide additional insight into the role of ozone transport into the region.

In order to equip the new Hutto site, CAPCOG will be using the ozone and meteorological equipment from the existing Round Rock site, which will be shut down, and new equipment purchased with a grant from TCEQ to equip the new site. An evaluation of CAPCOG’s monitoring network by UTCEER showed that the Round Rock site was not well-positioned and ought to be moved. The NOX and SO2 monitoring equipment from the Lake Georgetown station will be moved into the new Hutto site.

CAPCOG will also be moving the SO2 monitor at the Fayette monitor to the McKinney Roughs monitoring station. UTCEER’s analysis showed that the McKinney Roughs site is very well positioned to serve as an upwind site for the area, when the wind comes in from the east and southeast. Positioning the SO2 monitor at McKinney Roughs should provide better data on the impacts of SO2 sources such as coal-fueled power plants or cement kilns on regional ozone levels.

The new monitoring equipment will play an important role in any future State Implementation Plan to attain the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The Austin area’s ozone “design value” is currently 74 parts per billion. The “design value” is a three-year average of the fourth highest 8-hour ozone concentrations and is what EPA uses to determine if an area is attaining the NAAQS or not.

While the Austin area’s design value meets current EPA standards, EPA has proposed to strengthen the standards to a range of 60-70 parts per billion due to scientific studies that have indicated health impacts at levels lower than the current standards. While the ozone standards have been delayed several times, EPA has announced that it now plans to finalize the standards by July 29, 2011. Monitoring data is critical to use for the calibration of accurate air quality modeling efforts, which may be needed if the area is designated nonattainment for the new ozone standards.

CAPCOG is also working with UTCEER to conduct “mobile” monitoring early in the late spring. This project will help the Air Quality Program staff better understand the pollution levels occurring in unmonitored areas of the region.

In the News

CAPCOG Jurisdictions Excel in Communications Drill

Thursday, March 31, 2011

“By 2010, 90% of all high-risk urban areas designated within the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies.”
-- National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP), Goal 1

One of the lessons learned during the response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center is that effective communications among public safety agencies from multiple jurisdictions is critical to saving lives—citizens and first responders alike. In conjunction with federal funding for the development of interoperable telecommunications systems, the federal Office of Emergency Communications (OEC), in the National Communications Plan, required local jurisdictions to demonstrate their ability to communicate with each other during major emergencies.

Recently the CAPCOG jurisdictions that comprise the Austin-Round Rock UASI joined with 400-500 personnel from the University of Texas at Austin and other public safety agencies to conduct an exercise that clearly demonstrated that they have met the goal. Taking advantage of the large number of agencies involved in providing security and public safety support at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium for the UT vs. UCLA football game in late Sept., involving a crowd of 101,437 inside the stadium and roughly 20,000 who participated in various tail-gating activities in areas adjacent to the stadium, UASI personnel successfully demonstrated for federal evaluators their ability to effectively plan to manage such a large scale event. Of particular interest was a demonstration of the ability of the various public agencies and disciplines to communicate effectively.

In the after-action report on the exercise, the federal evaluators praised the “strong leadership and effective pre-event planning process displayed at this event.” The report states, “Throughout the period of observation, operational resources were used to successfully handle traffic flow, crowd control, disturbances, medical emergencies, and missing children without any significant communications impediments.” Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel “treated 32 patients and transported four patients to medical facilities by ambulance. Law enforcement reported a total of three arrests during the game.”

The evaluators concluded, “Therefore, OEC determined that the Austin Urban Area successfully demonstrated response-level emergency communications as outlined by NECP Goal 1 at an advanced level.”

Other CAPCOG jurisdictions are required to demonstrate their capabilities in response to NECP Goal 2. In June, 2011, personnel from all 10 counties will demonstrate that, even though they operate on three distinctly different communications systems, they are able to communicate effectively with each other to respond to critical needs. Details of the scenario are being finalized, but it is expected that participants will represent EMS units and other public safety personnel.

In the News

Caregivers May Need Stress Relief Services

Thursday, March 31, 2011

CAPCOG’s Area Agency on Aging, in collaboration with the WellMed Charitable Foundation, is implementing an evidence-based program entitled “Community Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers.” The program is directed toward Caregivers who provide basic care to another person with a chronic medical condition or long-term illness such as cancer, stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease. Being a caregiver may be stressful since those being cared for can become increasingly ill, unable to follow simple plans, develop behavioral problems, and become unable to recognize the caregiver.

The program provides for professional facilitators to teach stress management techniques that include relaxation and coping strategies which can be used on a daily basis during a nine-week program. The Stress-Busting Program is one of several services and supports available to caregivers through the Area Agency on Aging.

The Caregiver Support Program offers assessment and care planning to the families. Examples of supportive services may include arranging a family meeting for education purposes, arranging respite care, or even providing short-term individual counseling sessions for the caregiver. Additionally, the Capital Area Caregiver Teleconnection (CACT), an interactive support group conference call, is available on a schedule-basis. These calls are opportunities to ask questions of experts on topics of interest to caregivers.

If you would like to be placed on the Stress-Busting Program group interest list or have a question about any of the programs and services available to caregivers, please call Jill Findlay @ 512/916-6060.

In the News

INITIAL CENSUS 2010 DATA RELEASED

Thursday, March 31, 2011

CAPCOG has compiled some of the recently released Census Data into tabular and GIS format on the agency’s website, will be providing several reports analyzing new data, and will be conducting State of the County forums with three currently being planned: Hays, Caldwell, and Willliamson.

Initial population data released by the U.S. Census Bureau show during the past decade that the region has experienced explosive population growth. With approximately 1.83 million residents, the CAPCOG Region has gained 483,000 residents since 2000, an increase of 36%.

All counties within the region experienced population increases. With 212,000 additional residents, Travis County posted the largest net increase in population. Still, the highest levels of growth occurred elsewhere in the CAPCOG Region. With a growth rate of 69%, Williamson County was the second fastest-growing county in the state. Hays County, where the population increased 61%, was the fourth fastest growing county in Texas during this period. At 6.1%, Lee County experienced the slowest rate of growth within the region. Still, Lee County grew faster than 145 other counties within Texas.

Overall, the official Census 2010 population counts were remarkably close to previously published estimates by the Bureau. In some individual jurisdictions, however, population figures were significantly lower than previous estimates. Given the important role that Census 2010 data will play in determining levels of federal assistance for years to come, some communities have begun to explore the possibility of challenging the population counts. Unfortunately, successfully challenging decennial Census data is extraordinarily difficult. According to the U.S. Census, challenges to the 2000 Census data “resulted in a net gain in population of about 2,700 people. This amounts to about 1/1000th of one% of the nation’s population of 281 million people counted in the 2000 Census.”

Additional Census 2010 information is available covering demographic characteristics such as race/ethnic breakdown, race/ethnic breakdown of the population over 18, and housing unit and vacancy counts. This has also been compiled in tabular and GIS format and posted on our website. And stayed tuned as more detailed Census information will be released sometime this summer.

In the News

CARTPO to Meet Monthly During the 2011 Legislative Session

Monday, January 31, 2011

The Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CARTPO) is a transportation planning and policy organization formed in 2000 to serve the needs of the entire ten-county CAPCOG region. CARTPO is especially active in advocating for the transportation needs of the counties in our region that are not included in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO). With the adoption of changes to TxDOT rules, CARTPO’s role as a rural planning organization, or RPO, stands to become officially recognized.

To monitor and react to the Legislature’s actions as regards transportation in the capital region, especially the rural areas, CARTPO will be holding monthly meetings during the legislative session. The first meeting of the new year was held Jan.14th and the next meeting will be held Feb. 11th. Dates for the subsequent meetings will be set at the Feb. 11th meeting. The meetings will be at 9:30 a.m. in CAPCOG’s Pecan Room. Meetings will continue to be held monthly through at least May. For further information, consult the CAPCOG website or contact David Fowler, CAPCOG Senior Planner, at dfowler@capcog.org or (512) 916-6165.

In the News

Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act

Monday, January 31, 2011

In response to the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), and the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) are coordinating efforts to provide enhanced outreach and assistance to Texas Medicare beneficiaries statewide who have limited incomes.

CAPCOG’s Area Agency on Aging plans to partner with local and state programs to improve awareness and educate current and future program participants about changes in Medicare with special emphasis on additional preventive care and benefits. The Benefits Counseling program will work to expand, extend, and enhance outreach efforts to beneficiaries of Medicare Part D, with special attention to individuals with limited income in rural areas who may be eligible for Low Income Subsidy (LIS) and the Medicare Savings Program (MSP).

The LIS program targets Medicare beneficiaries who have limited income and resources. They may qualify for extra help in the form of financial assistance to pay for prescription drug costs. Those who are eligible for this low-income subsidy will get help paying for their monthly premium, yearly deductible, prescription coinsurance and copayments, and fill any gap in coverage. The MSP can help pay for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and/or Part B (medical insurance) premiums for eligible beneficiaries.

Performance measure requirements for enrollment of LIS/MSP eligible beneficiaries have been identified by the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) for the grant period. These performance measures are based on the number of LIS-eligible beneficiaries in each county.

The Area Agency on Aging encourages referrals from the region for individuals who may benefit from information about the Low Income Subsidy and the Medicare Savings Program. Group presentations can be arranged. Please contact a Benefits Counselor at 512-916-6178 or toll free 1-888-622-9111, Ext. 6178.

In the News

Executive Committee Approves Policy Recommendations for Growth and Development

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

CAPCOG’s two-year project to develop an assessment of growth and development related to land use, transportation, water, and economic development was concluded on Nov. 10th when the Executive Committee adopted policy recommendations for each of the four categories. The subcommittee will meet one final time on Dec. 8th to develop legislative priorities which will be considered at the Jan. 12, 2011 meeting of the Executive Committee.

The subcommittee of city and county officials directed CAPCOG staff to first focus on water availability which they felt was the central issue shaping growth in the region. To provide greater understanding of this issue, CAPCOG staff created the first ever database of water contracts and usage for the ten-county region. This database provided subcommittee members with information on where water resources would allow or constrain future growth. Transportation plans including CAMPO’s 2035 Plan were used to allow road networks to be overlaid on maps showing future water availability. Local governments also aided the effort by sending in projected and planned development.

This effort demonstrated the need for better coordination among regional entities to act on issues created by the interrelationship of factors such as water availability, land use regulation, and transportation planning. Policy recommendations addressed growth related to the location of infrastructure, better use of plans and authority, a more regional approach to project prioritization, linking land use and transportation with economic development, and working toward better job-work commutes, to list a few.

The full report, which includes an explanation of research conducted and data used as well as the policy recommendations, is on the CAPCOG website at www.capcog.org

In the News

CAPCOG Awarded HUD Sustainable Communities Grant for Capital Area Consortium

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

The Capital Area Council of Governments, working with a regional consortium of local governments and other regional stakeholders, has been awarded $3.7 million as one of only 45 HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grants given out across the nation and of two in Texas. The Consortium, which has been named the Capital Area Texas Sustainability Consortium or CATS, includes the Cities of Austin, Round Rock, and San Marcos, CAMPO, Envision Central Texas, and UT’s Center for Sustainable Development. IBM is the only private sector member of the Consortium.

The application submitted in August proposes to select several demonstration sites coinciding with the Activity Centers described in CAMPO’s recently adopted 2035 Plan; the goal for these sites will be to build strategies that support a balance of housing and employment linked to mobility. The application was for $4.974 million; however, only $3.7 was awarded, so the next steps will be shaving the key components of the project which involve development of an analytical tool to assess development strategies, outreach and engagement at a regional level, and technical assistance for the demo sites selected.

CAPCOG, working with the consortium partners, must develop and submit a work plan to HUD before a final grant agreement will be in hand. According to CAPCOG Executive Director Betty Voights, the work plan may be submitted by the first week of January but the holidays are creating challenges for getting stakeholders together to work on it.

Consortium partners also include Capital Metro, ACC and Texas State, HousingWorks, Capital Area Housing Finance Corporation, WorkForce Solutions, Lone Star Rail District, Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council, LCRA, and TxDOT.

In the News

CAPCOG Tests New 9-1-1 Equipment

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

CAPCOG has been a PlantCML customer since 1992 and recently had the opportunity to participate in the BETA testing of PlantCML’s Next Generation 9-1-1 equipment. Three Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) operated by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, San Marcos Police Department, and Georgetown Police Department were selected as test sites.

These CAPCOG PSAPs were the first in the United States to BETA test the updated VESTA Pallas 9-1-1 equipment. The NextGen-ready equipment and software tested provides call takers with integrated voice/data capabilities and the ability to process 9-1-1 calls via an Internet Protocol (IP) based network. The BETA test also introduced a number of new features to the PSAPs. These features included the availability of a private emergency network (PEN) and the high availability framework (HAF). The PEN is available for interconnected PSAPs enabling 9-1-1 calls to be established between an external caller and call takers at more than one location. A transferred 9-1-1 call includes automatic number information (ANI), location information (ALI), call history, supplemental information, call notes and TTY. Each call also includes PEN call information and a unique PEN Call ID improving call history and retention of caller data. HAF provides the functionality to ensure call centers receive the highest level of availability for services and applications. HAF monitors VESTA services and ensures they are operating properly.

In the News

Wilco GIS Day Creates Geographic Awareness Of Our World

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

GIS Day is part of the National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week. Williamson County Geographic Information Systems Council held its second annual Wilco GIS Day event. Volunteers included members of Williamson County, Williamson Central Appraisal District, City of Georgetown, Baker-Aiklen Engineers, City of Leander, City of Cedar Park, City of Hutto, City of Round Rock, and CAPCOG.

GIS Day creates geographic awareness throughout our world. It provides a forum for users of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in our society. GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.

Also among those who attended was the fifth grade class of Cooper Elementary School in Georgetown. The students attended five activities that used GIS: geocaching, hotlinking, Google My Maps, map projections, and demonstrations by first responders. Each of the students also learned the importance of appropriate use of 9-1-1, how responders locate callers, and the role of GIS in 9-1-1.

The City of Austin also hosted a GIS Day event at Austin City Hall and gave in-school presentations about GIS at 13 area schools and reached over 1,500 students. Keynote speaker, Sean Moran, showcased some of the amazing GIS technologies now available to the public.

In the News

Upcoming Year Expected To Be Data Filled

Thursday, October 07, 2010

With the Census 2010 data collection phase completed, many have asked the question, “When are the new population figures going to be released”?

The short answer is to expect the State totals that will be used to apportion the number of Congressional seats by Dec. 31st. While the city and county population counts must be released by April 1, 2011, along with the Census 2010 redistricting data file, the expectation is that this information will be out in Feb. or Mar. 2011. The redistricting file contains population counts by race and Hispanic origin, and counts of population aged 18 and over by race down to the Census block level.

The full demographic profile including selected population characteristics like counts by the age categories and housing characteristics will likely be released in May 2011, while the full Summary File 1 information will be released in the June to August 2011 time frame. To view more information on the various Census 2010 data products, you may visit this website, http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2010/glance/index.html

Before the Census 2010 population counts are released, an intriguing new dataset will become available in the December 2010 timeframe called the American Community Survey (ACS) five year estimates. The ACS is the Census Bureau administered rolling survey that collects similar information as the Census 2000 “long form.” Previous ACS releases of the one- and three-year data only covered areas of more than 20,000, whereas the 2005-2009 ACS five-year estimates will, for the first time, consist of Census socio-economic data for all areas in our region (regardless of population) down to the Census block group level. In other words, even before we have the Census 2010 data to crunch, there will be a whole new fresh perspective on the makeup of our communities, whether you are interested in how densely populated an area is, how those people get to work, how much money they make, or what level of education they have obtained; those answers will no longer be ten years old.

In the News

9‑1‑1 Awards Presented

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Each September for National Telecommunicator Day, CAPCOG’s Emergency Communications Division hosts an awards ceremony at the Texas State Capitol. The event recognizes two groups of award recipients from throughout the ten-county region.

The 9-1-1 Calendar Artwork contest is a public education event meant to educate and inform elementary school-aged children on how to call 9-1-1 and what information to give to the 9-1-1 call taker. A Red E Fox DVD (Red E Fox is the 9-1-1 mascot who is central to the video) and information packet are sent to all schools with grades kindergarten - third grade. Teachers are asked to have the children watch the video and create artwork based on what the children believe they learned about 9-1-1. Artwork is returned to CAPCOG and judged by a panel of regional telecommunicators who select the winners, as well as several honorable mentions. The winning artwork with the theme what to do in an emergency is compiled into a CAPCOG 9‑1‑1 Calendar that is printed and distributed as part of the 9‑1‑1 public education campaign.

The PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) Awards recognize superior performance and call taking abilities of CAPCOG’s 9-1-1 Telecommunicators. Call takers are nominated by their agency, and submissions are sent to CAPCOG for evaluation by a panel of their peers.

Competition is intense and those selected are recognized at the Capitol ceremony. This year’s winners included: Leslie Stanford, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services, was selected Emergency Communications Operator of the Year. The Austin Police Department was awarded the Team Award for the Echelon building event. Leigh Carrico from Round Rock PD, Lynn Mullins from Round Rock PD, and Carolyn Shavers from the Austin PD were awarded Lifetime Service Awards for over 20 years of service to 9-1-1. Shawne Marshall from Travis County SO, Deborah McKenzie from Williamson County Emergency Communications, Melinda Wessels from Marble Falls PD, Eric Whiteman from Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services, John Spitzer from Hays County SO, Toni Maskunas from Georgetown PD, Nicholle Benedict from Cedar Park PD, and Mira Morales from the Austin PD received awards for Dedicated Service.

Finally, the 9-1-1 Kid Hero award was presented to three children who exhibited bravery and composure during calls to 9-1-1 in an emergency. These children were nominated, and received their awards, from the 9-1-1 call taker who received the child’s call for help. This year’s Kid Heroes are Kyle and Kayla Kunkle, who were nominated by Hays County Sheriff’s office, and Merlin Reyes who was nominated by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

In the News

2nd Annual Construction and Demolition Waste Management Summit Set

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Construction and demolition materials make up approximately 25% of materials landfilled in the CAPCOG Region. To facilitate reduction of this waste stream, the CAPCOG Regional Solid Waste Program, in cooperation with City of Austin Solid Waste Services and the Austin Energy Green Building program, will host an educational and networking C&D Summit focusing on reduction and proper management of construction and demolition (C&D) materials on Nov. 4 at the Austin Convention Center. The Summit will include:

Local case studies (commercial and residential)
Regulatory guidance
Project management tools
Local resources

Last year, nearly 100 waste management professionals, homebuilders, green building program managers, regulators, local government representatives, and others attended the C&D Summit. This year the Summit will include the addition of a vendor showcase where attendees can get information on local services and resources for construction and demolition materials management.

Registration will open soon at www.capcog.org. Find more information about the C&D Summit at www.austinrecycles.com.

In the News

CAPCOG Completes Provider Database to the Regional Transit Coordination Committee

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

In its ongoing partnership with the Regional Transit Coordination Committee (RTCC), CAPCOG’s Regional Services Division has just finished creating a database of regional transportation providers for the ten-county region covering all transportation providers in the region, ranging from large public transportation agencies and taxi companies to smaller medical transportation and services exclusively serving designated populations such as veterans or the elderly.

The database distinguishes the transportation providers based on the areas served and the riders targeted. This database was completed using the results from several previous partial efforts to collect data region-wide, combined with transportation-related resources gained from several regional nonprofit organizations. The data CAPCOG collected will be used to analyze the levels of service available throughout the region and will eventually create a “dial-a-ride” service that will help residents find what transportation options are available to them and arrange a trip using those services. The ultimate goal of the RTCC effort is to create a seamless transportation system for the region and also create a network of professionals who are able to help their clients use the transit resources to their full availability.

The RTCC is a collaboration of CAPCOG, CAMPO, Capital Metro, CARTS, and several other regional governmental and non-profit organizations. For more information on the RTCC, please contact David Fowler, Senior Planner, at (512) 916-6165.

In the News

CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Academy Graduates Another Class

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

CAPCOG’s most recent Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC), a night class conducted at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Dept., graduated 37 cadets on Sept. 17, 2010, in a ceremony at the State Capitol with Sheriff James Wilson, Williamson County Sheriff, as the guest speaker.

A new night BPOC cadet class began Sept. 13th at CAPCOG’s Regional Law Enforcement Academy (RLEA) with 36 cadets who will spend the next nine months in training covering subjects such as the Texas Penal Code, Arrest, Search and Seizure, Patrol Procedures, Defensive Tactics, and Firearms. Registration is now underway for the next BPOC day class which will begin Nov. 8, 2010.

CAPCOG is proud to finally announce the arrival of the Use of Force training simulator funded through a federal stimulus grant from the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor’s Office. The staff is now training on the operation of the simulator and expects to begin region-wide training the first week of Oct. The simulator creates safe, effective, and realistic scenarios to train officers in situational, judgment, force options, and marksmanship. To request the use of the simulator, contact Director Mike Jennings at 512-916-6164 or mjennings@capcog.org.

The RLEA has set its in-service training schedule for the fall of 2010. There will be several types of instructor courses offered: basic instructor, patrol rifle instructor, as well as firearms instructor. The complete list of training classes can be viewed at www.capcog.org.

In the News

2010 Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award Due

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Nominations are due by Nov. 1st (applications are on our website) and the winner will be announced at the December General Assembly meeting. Past recipients of the award are Kirk Watson, former Mayor of Austin; Neal Kocurek, former Chairman of the Envision Central Texas project; Robert Huston, Chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Ray Sanders, Lockhart Mayor and current Executive Committee member; Bob Daigh, District Engineer of Texas Department of Transportation; former Austin-area Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, and Caldwell County Judge H. T. Wright.

In the News

CAPCOG’s General Assembly Meets December 8th to Celebrate 40 Years

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

The Capital Area Council of Governments will welcome its General Assembly members to the Annual Membership meeting on Dec. 8th, 2010. Instead of the usual lunchtime meeting and speaker, it will be a brunch with an earlier start time and a panel discussion: Planning for the Region – the Next 20 Years. Registration begins at 9:30 am. The meeting will take place at the Omni Southpark at 4140 Governor’s Row, Austin, Texas, 78744.

In the News

Homeland Security Announces FY2011 Grant Process

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

The CAPCOG Homeland Security Division is accepting project worksheets from jurisdictions until 5pm on Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, for the next funding cycle of the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), FY2011. All project worksheets must be signed by an authorizing individual in order to be valid.

Texas uses a regional approach to the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP) in that Councils of Governments are provided a regional allocation for determining regional and local projects. The allocation of the FY2011 grant year will be provided by the State around Sept. 2011. CAPCOG is seeking projects at this time in order to plan for regional priorities and investment strategies. These priorities are combined with the other twenty-three Councils of Governments for the State’s application to the federal government for FY2011 HSGP funds. Each year the U. S. Department of Homeland Security sets priorities for grants under the Homeland Security program. The State of Texas anticipates that the following priorities will continue for FY2011:

Strengthen planning and citizen preparedness capabilities;
Strengthen Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) detection, response, and decontamination capabilities;
Strengthen information sharing and collaboration capabilities; and
Strengthen medical surge and mass prophylaxis.

Homeland Security activities in the CAPCOG region are also guided by the goals and regional implementation strategies as identified in the Capital Area Regional Strategic Implementation Plan and strategic plans of the committees of the CAPCOG Homeland Security Task Force.

Potential sub-recipients for the FY 2011 SHSP grant funds are incorporated municipalities, counties, federally recognized Indian tribes, and the regional councils of governments. School districts, transit authorities, ports, hospital districts, and river authorities may be eligible if it is determined by CAPCOG, a city or county grant recipient, an Urban Security Initiative, or the State Director of Homeland Security that such funding meets preparedness needs for the region. Jurisdictions interested in submitting a project for regional consideration must meet eligibility criteria as determined by the State.

The CAPCOG project worksheet includes a new section for risk. Projects will be reviewed and prioritized on a regional level incorporating this risk methodology.

The CAPCOG FY 2011 Homeland Security Regional Grant Process and project worksheet can be found on the CAPCOG website at www.capcog.org.

For more information about the regional homeland security grant process, contact Ed Schaefer at (512) 916-6026 or eschaefer@capcog.org.

In the News

CAPCOG’s Summer Membership Meeting August 11th

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Alan Miller, Executive Director, Workforce Solutions-Capital Area Workforce Board, will be the keynote speaker at CAPCOG’s General Assembly Summer Membership Business Meeting and Luncheon to be held Wed., August 11, 2010, at the Crowne Plaza, 6121 North IH-35, Austin, Texas. Mr. Miller will present The State of the Workforce in the Austin-Round Rock MSA, a study representing a joint effort between Mr. Miller’s organization along with the Worksource – Rural Capital Area Workforce Board and CAPCOG staff.

A buffet will be served at 11:30 a.m. with the Business Meeting starting at 11:45 a.m. The business meeting will include approval of CAPCOG’s 2011 budget and work plan and the election of a Nominating Committee which will be charged with recommending membership for the 2011 Executive Committee.

The General Assembly is composed of representatives from each of CAPCOG’s member organizations; it votes each December on an Executive Committee that will oversee CAPCOG’s program and administration operations for the upcoming year including budget and audit functions, approval of grant funding, and expenditure and contractual obligations.

In the News

In-Service Classes

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

The following in-service classes will be offered through the RTA in Aug. and Sept.: Intermediate Use of Force on Aug.16 in Llano, Texas, and again on Sept. 13; Firearms Instructor on Aug. 30 in Hutto, Texas; New Supervisor Course on Sept. 22 at CAPCOG; and Basic Instructor Course on Sept. 17 at CAPCOG.

Please visit CAPCOG’s Training website to view and register for all classes.

In the News

Regional Training Academy

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

The Regional Training Academy currently has two Basic Peace Officer courses in progress: BPOC 56 and BPOC 57. BPOC 57 is a full-time day academy held in CAPCOG’s Mesquite Room and is scheduled to graduate Nov. 5, 2010. BPOC 56 is a part-time night class being hosted by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at the Lott Center in Georgetown, Texas, and is scheduled to graduate Sept. 17, 2010.

Registration is underway for a new Basic Peace Officer Course that will begin on Sept.13, 2010. BPOC 58 will be a part-time night course held in CAPCOG’s Mesquite Room and will run Mon. through Thurs., 6 pm to 10 pm weekly for nine months. This course will graduate in May, 2011.

The Regional Training Academy will be conducting a Basic Corrections Certification Course held at the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office beginning Aug.2, 2010. This three-week course covers mandated topics for corrections officers and prepares the student to take the state licensing exam with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Education and Standards. All new officers are required to complete this certification within one year of employment with a county jail.

In the News

Basic Peace Officer Course Continues 100% Pass Rate

Monday, May 31, 2010

For the seventh time in seven graduating classes, the Regional Training Academy graduated their latest class of new peace officers with a 100% pass rate on the TCLEOSE licensing exam. Cadet Class 54, hosted at the Pflugerville Police Department, graduated 14 cadets on May 21st; all went on to take their TCLEOSE licensing exam passing with flying colors.

Cadet Class 55, which was conducted by CAPCOG’s RTA staff, also held up that pass rate by graduating 29 cadets; 68% of them scored above 90 on their TCLEOSE licensing exam. Class 55 began in November and included sponsored cadets from the Austin Fire Department, Austin Independent School District, Buda Fire Department, Georgetown Police Department, Kyle Police Department, Round Rock Police Department, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

CAPCOG’s RTA began its third and fourth BPOC class this year. Class 56 began on Feb. 8th with 39 cadets. Class 57 began on May 17th with 30 cadets. The RTA will begin registration for upcoming class 58 on June 1st, 2010.