June 2008 AACOG Region Newsletter

AACOG will have its Semiannual Meeting of the Area Council and Board of Directors on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in the AACOG Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX. AACOG will announce the winners of the 2008 AACOG Regional Awards at a special ceremony and reception following the meeting at approximately 2:00 p.m. We will also be recognizing outgoing AACOG Board Members and Advisory Committee Chairs at the reception. For more information, contact AACOG Community Relations at (210) 362-5204.

The following individuals were recently appointed as new members of the AACOG Board of Directors:

Thomas G. Weaver - representing special districts
Katie N. Reed - representing school districts
Robert Puente - representing utilities
Mayor Tom Schoolcraft - representing suburban cities
Mayor A. David Marne - representing suburban cities

AACOG will again conduct the Walk & Roll Corporate Challenge in June. This annual event was developed to promote the use of alternative forms of commuting to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and encourage healthy lifestyles. Alternative forms of commuting that count towards Challenge points include carpooling, walking, riding a bicycle, riding the bus, and eating at the office rather than driving to a restaurant. For more information about the Walk & Roll Corporate Challenge events, log onto www.walkandrollchallenge.com or contact Andrew Hudgins at (210) 362-5225. To find potential carpool matches, visit www.rcride.com.

The AACOG Regional Review Committee (RRC) Guidebook has been prepared in accordance with the 2009 TxCDBG Action Plan and the 2009-2010 Regional Review Committee Scoring and Training Guidelines for the Community Development Fund.

The Guidebook provides eligible applicants from the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) region with the application guidelines necessary to be scored under the Alamo Area RRC scoring criteria.

Any questions regarding the RRC or the Guidebook should be directed to:

Mark Wyatt, Director
Community Development
Office of Rural Community Affairs
P.O. Box 12877
Austin, Texas 78711
e-mail address: mwyatt@orca.state.tx.us
ORCA website: www.orca.state.tx.us

The Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) will sponsor a one-day newly elected officials workshop on Thursday, July 24, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Registration from 8-8:30 a.m.) in AACOG’s Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio. The workshop will cover such topics as the duties and responsibilities of elected officials; introduction to city government; roles of the mayor and council; budgeting and financial management; and legal issues such as open meetings; open records, purchasing and conflict of interest. Contact Joe Ramos at (210) 362-5212 or click here for more information.

AACOG offers a workshop for planning and zoning commissioners, elected officials, and staff. This workshop is sponsored by the Texas Chapter American Planning Association in cooperation with the City Planners Association of Texas, the Texas Association of Regional Councils, and AACOG.

The next workshop is scheduled for Friday, July 18, 2008, from 9 to 4 p.m., in the AACOG Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio. Click here for more information about the upcoming workshop.

Below is a list of topics that are covered in the workshop:

The Importance of Planning
Roles and Responsibilities of a Planning Commissioner
A Comprehensive Plan that Works
Planning in Communities with Limited Staff
Tools to Implement Planning

The registration fee for this workshop is $70.

Notice: The South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Group is soliciting nominations to fill vacancies as voting members on the RWPG in the following interest areas: Agricultural, Counties, Industries, Public, River Authorities, Small Business, Water Districts and Water Utilities. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2008.

AACOG's Mission:
To enhance the lives of all residents of the Alamo Region by working in mutual respect and partnership with all levels of government, the business sector, and the community at large to meet regional challenges and to create regional strengths.