H-GAC Extends Electronics Recycling Contract with CompuCycle
According to a 2020 survey by AudienceProject, the average American has access to more than 10 connected devices in their household. Recycling those electronics when they’ve reached their end of life allows for the reuse of valuable materials, including gold, silver, copper, and other precious metals, and a reduced need to mine for new materials. Through a cooperative purchasing contract with CompuCycle, local governments in the 13-county H-GAC region have one less step to worry about when planning for used electronics collections. H-GAC is extending its contract with CompuCycle for collection, transportation, and disposal of used electronics. The contract covers both one-day collection events and permanent facilities.
H-GAC chose CompuCycle for this contract following our standard RFP (request for proposals) review and selection process. This means that governments and agencies in the H-GAC service area can engage CompuCycle for their used electronics needs without conducting their own lengthy RFP process. Government representatives can contact CompuCycle directly through this contract or can e-mail H-GAC at [email protected] for more information.
CompuCycle will accept flat screen TVs for recycling from individuals and local governments that accept TVs from residents through the end of the year. Individuals can drop off up to five flat screen TVs at the CompuCycle facility on Fridays between 8 a.m. and noon. Local governments should schedule a drop off time to bring any volume.
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H-GAC Seeks Public Input on Hazard Mitigation Planning Survey
H-GAC is working with the City of Angleton and Austin, Liberty, and Walker counties' Offices of Emergency Management to update Hazard Mitigation Plans for the entities and participating jurisdictions within them. We are seeking public input to help develop the plans which will include a risk assessment, capability assessment, and a hazard mitigation action plan.
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Disaster Debris Management Best Practices Workshop – June 8 (Hybrid)
Natural disasters challenge communities every year and are expected to increase in frequency and intensity. After a disaster, communities are tasked with the difficult job of managing disaster debris on top of the potential loss of homes, lives, power, and critical facilities. Debris may damage infrastructure, block road access, and pose threats to human health and the environment. Cleaning it up can be time-consuming and costly, and recovery is not complete until all debris has been managed.
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Chocolate Bay Stakeholder Meeting –June 28 (In Person)
H-GAC invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits within the watersheds that make up Chocolate Bay—Chocolate Bayou, Mustang Bayou, and Halls Bayou—to attend a stakeholder meeting from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 28.
The meeting will be at the Alvin Library, 105 South Gordon St., Alvin.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss water quality issues affecting communities in the Chocolate Bay watershed, including Algoa, Arcola, Alvin, Fresno, Hillcrest, Iowa Colony, Liverpool, Manvel, Missouri City, Pearland, and Santa Fe. Pollutants, specifically fecal bacteria, in these waterways may impact public health, local economies, and the natural environment. Residents and organizations are invited to participate and provide input toward the development of a watershed-based plan to address water quality and reduce fecal bacteria.
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Oyster Creek Stakeholder Meeting – June 29 (In Person)
H-GAC invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits within the Oyster Creek Watershed in Brazoria and Fort Bend counties to attend a stakeholder meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 29.
The meeting will be at the Angleton Library, 401 E. Cedar St. Angleton.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss water quality issues affecting communities in the Oyster Creek watershed south of Sugar Land, including Angleton, Arcola, Bailey’s Prairie, Bonney, Clute, Holiday Lakes, Iowa Colony, Juliff, Lake Jackson, Missouri City (Sienna Plantation), Richwood, Rosharon, and Sandy Point. Pollutants, specifically fecal bacteria, in this waterway may impact public health, local economies, and the natural environment. Residents and organizations are invited to participate in this and future meetings to provide input that will be used to review the draft bacteria reduction plan and to consider the next steps needed to put the plan into action.
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Conservation Conversations: Regional Peer Exchange – July 10 (In Person)
Join H-GAC for a Regional Conservation Initiative / Parks and Natural Areas event.
Conservation experts, parks and natural areas professionals, volunteers, and interested stakeholders will gather for small group, facilitated conversations. Discussion topics may include community support and education, conservation easements, data needs and analysis, wayfinding and signage, tree planting, funding, partnerships and more.
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Environmental, Historic Preservation Considerations in Debris Operations Webinar – July 20 (Online)
Following a natural disaster, communities are faced with the challenge of managing disaster debris along with the potential loss of lives, homes, property, power, and critical facilities. Emergency protective measures and debris removal are some of the most common categories of activities that may detrimentally affect the environment or historic properties. In historic districts, or when dealing with historic buildings, debris removal activities have the potential to affect air quality and water quality. Hazardous materials may also be present and released. Due to the sensitive nature of debris removal activities in these areas, there are significant consequences for noncompliance.
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Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable – July 25 (In Person)
Make plans to attend the next Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 25, at Stone's Market, 1840 7th St., Bay City. Join us to learn more about Bay City's Downtown revitalization efforts, including how to work with statewide organizations. Networking begins at 9:30 a.m. with presentations and roundtable to begin at 10 a.m.
The Bringing Back Main Street initiative offers local communities a place to share best practices and engage in a regional dialogue about revitalizing and supporting vibrant downtown spaces. Each quarter, community leaders gather for a roundtable on topics ranging from small business support to sidewalk infrastructure.
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American Planning Association Awards Applications to Open in June
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NADO Impact Awards Application Period to Open in June
Each year, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) recognizes member organizations that demonstrate valuable and effective approaches to regional economic and community development through the Impact Awards program. Applications for this year’s awards will be accepted beginning in mid-June. More details and information will be made available in the coming weeks. Contact Brett Schwartz with any questions. |
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Great Places in Texas Application Period Open Until December
The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association is accepting applications for the Great Places in Texas program. This program recognizes neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces and celebrates how planning has played a vital role where we live, work, and play. The program promotes and recognizes great places while celebrating stories of exemplary planning that have resulted in stronger and healthier communities. Categories include Great Neighborhoods, Great Public Spaces, and Great Streets. Sugar Land Town Square in Fort Bend County is a 2022 Great Public Spaces designee.
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1093 Rails to Trails Public Meeting – June 5
The 1093 Rails to Trails Local Government Corporation will host the third of a series of public meetings from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 5, at the Irene Stern Community Center, 6920 Katy Fulshear Road, Fulshear. Five local governments— Austin County and the cities of Eagle Lake, Fulshear, Wallis, and Weston Lakes— have joined together as a local government corporation to plan and build a 31-mile shared-use trail along a former rail line alongside FM 1093 from Fulshear to Eagle Lake, connecting several Texas towns along the way. Together, these municipalities envision a shared-use trail that is safe and accessible for cyclists and pedestrians. This meeting will be a chance to learn more about the project and provide feedback that may be incorporated into the design and branding of the trail. Interested residents can also provide feedback online.
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Texas Downtown Association Roundtable – June 15
The Texas Downtown Association Southeast Regional Roundtable will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 15, in Bay City. Downtown and economic development professionals and champions are invited to explore a downtown Bay City, learn about their projects and programs, and network. During this event, attendees will learn about the adaptive reuse of a historic hotel for modern loft apartments in downtown Bay City, how to help find downtown funding, and downtown master planning in the Texas Main Street City of Victoria. Attendees will go on a downtown walking tour, learn about other Texas Downtown Association educational opportunities and resources available. Registration is required by June 14. The cost to attend is $50 for Texas Downtown Association members, $75 for non-members, and includes a networking lunch. |
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Keep Texas Beautiful Conference – June 26-28
Registration is open for the Keep Texas Beautiful Annual Conference June 26-28 in Houston. Keep Texas Beautiful is a network of Texans working together to make the state the best place to live, work, and play. Local partners and affiliates are equipped with tools they need to help clean up and prevent litter across the state. The annual conference is an opportunity for participants to share, learn, and celebrate local, regional, and state accomplishments and programs and includes networking, field trips, educational sessions, awards presentations, and exhibits.
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Funding Sources
All content, including links to websites, is for informational purposes only. Users of this content are responsible for checking its accuracy, currency, and suitability.
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More Information and Programs |
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Mapping Applications
Facebook
H-GAC has a Facebook page where information about current and upcoming events is posted. Please visit and like H-GAC's page. While there, visit other H-GAC pages on Facebook, including Recycling, and Trash Bash.
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Conservation Note of the Month
As part of the Regional Conservation Initiative, H-GAC provides a conservation toolbox that catalogues conservation practices available to local governments and their partners, policies that enable the practices, potential partners for local governments implementing conservation practices, and funding mechanisms to support these practices.
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Unless otherwise noted, all meetings scheduled at H-GAC are at 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, Texas. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, H-GAC will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities attending H-GAC functions. Requests should be received 72 business hours prior to the function. Contact the meeting organizer to make arrangements.
Banner Photo: Walking path at Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Harris County. Would you like us to consider featuring your municipality, program, or regional photo on the C&E Planning Update banner? Just forward your picture to Andrea Tantillo, along with some information about the subject and the photographer, and you might see it in a future month's newsletter.
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Houston-Galveston Area Council
713-627-3200
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