Projects & Programs

I. UPCOMING PROJECTS (Pending Funding Approval):

1. Application for Rural Fire Defense Assistance

Project Status: Pending Approval

Agency Funded: $108,000.00

Cash match: $13,364.00

This application to the Texas Forest Service Rural Fire Defense program will pay 89% of the cost of purchasing a large brush truck for the Webb County Fire Service, the volunteer firefighting unit that serves the Quad Cities area in eastern Webb County . The truck will be designed specifically to fight/contain wildfires, and its 1000-gallon water tank will allow it to contain more serious blazes until larger tankers can arrive from the City of Laredo .

2. VISTA/Americorps* Refunding Application (3^rd Year)

Project Status: Verbal Approval only

Agency Funding: $291,525.00

In-kind Match: $13,675.00

An application for funding for the third year of the Webb County VISTA/Americorps* project has been submitted. For this funding period, the program will focus exclusively on homeland security and disaster preparedness issues. Among the issues it will address are the disaster planning and education for low-income Webb County residents, the formation of two SERTS teams in area high schools, the creation of a database that will allow low-income residents to access medical, nutritional and other assistance in the event of a disaster, the formation of Neighborhood Watch groups, and the establishment of a functioning Citizens Corps Council and VOAD group. The program is currently under the supervision of Mr. Gerardo Vasquez and will employ up to fifteen VISTA volunteers.

3. Indigent Defense Formula Grant

Project Status: Pending Approval

Funding Request: $120,076.00

The formula grant application was submitted for $95,113.00 on October 24, 2005 . This funding is allotted to the Webb County Public Defender’s Office, which administers the grant to fund an Indigent Defense Coordinator position and to provide legal defense to accused persons who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.

4. State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) Loan

Project Status: Pending Approval

Agency Funded: $249,142.000

In-kind match: N/A

This application to TX DOT will pay certain costs associated with the Cuatro Vientos Project. The application, submitted in March, 2004, still awaits the conclusion of the environmental assessment project’s Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and will be classified as “under review” until completion of the process, which may take up to two years from the date of submission.

5. Regional Mobility Authority Petition

Project Status: Pending Approval

Granting of RMA status is currently under consideration by the Texas Department of Transportation. The petition for Webb County to form a regional mobility authority was submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation on March 5, 2004 .

II. POTENTIAL PROJECTS BEING DEVELOPED:

Potential Applications/Projects

1. Webb County Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation Center Project:

Project Status: Previous grant extended until March 31, 2006

Agency Funded: Previous grant: $350,000

Pending refunding application: $295,000.00

County Match : N/A

Project Contractor: Laredo Child Advocacy Center

Project Location: Complex operated by the Laredo Child Advocacy Center

Start Date: September, 2006

This project is funded by the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women. First implemented in late 2003, it is currently operating on its initial funding of $350,000.00. Because the project got off to a slow start due to the withdrawal of Holding Institute, the original subcontractor, Webb County requested, and received, an extension of the original grant period through March 31, 2005 . There may be a hiatus of several months between the closing of the previous grant and the receipt of refunding monies if the upcoming continuation grant application is approved. The project allows the safe exchange of children between parents whose divorce or separation has been marked by violence, sexual assault or stalking. The project also provides a facility where supervised court-ordered visitation can take place. Funding is also being sought from other grant sources, particularly HHS and the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.

2. Indigent Defense Discretionary Grant

Project Status: Potential project

Agency funding: $250,000.00 (approximate)

County match: $17,500.00 (in kind)

This potential project will fund videoconferencing equipment that will expedite the magistration of indigent defendants and will provide their appointed attorneys with an alternative to jail visitation during the preparation of their cases. The project will reduce the cost of transporting defendants from Frio County, where some Webb County prisoners are held, and will reduce the risk to court personnel by eliminating jail visits by JP’s and attorneys. Units will be installed in the Webb County , Pearsall, and Zapata County Jails; in the offices of Webb County Justices of the Peace, and in the Public Defender’s office and a conference room in the Justice Center .

3. HHS Administration for Children and Families Children Exposed to Domestic Violence Demonstration Grant

Project Status: Potential project

Agency funded: $130,000.00

The Children’s Intervention Initiative will be designed to provide wrap-around services to children who have been exposed to domestic violence. Developed in conjunction with the Children’s Advocacy Center in cooperation with the District and County Attorneys’ Offices, the grant will fund a mental health professional as part of the Webb County Safe Havens program; two Master’s level interns who will handle a caseload of at least fifteen clients each; and a family partner to act as liaison with parents whose children are served by the program. This is a demonstration project, designed to create a model which can be replicated in other agencies and jurisdictions.

4. DOJ Office on Violence Against Women Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program

Project Status: Potential project

Agency funded: $450,000.00

This grant will be developed in cooperation with the District Attorney’s Office, Casa Misericordia battered women’s shelter, and other organizations serving victims of domestic violence. The funding will provide legal representation over the grant period of two years for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. Texas Rural Legal Aid will be approached to serve as a partner in the project.

5. Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Recreation Grant

Project Status: Potential project

Agency funded: $150,000.00 (estimate)

Matching funds: $150,000.00 (if available from other funding sources)

These grants will fund a master plan for development of recreational facilities and activities at Lake Casa Blanca and the preservation of its unique assets. Potential improvements may include, but are not limited to, concessions such as restaurants, bait stands and marinas; hike and bike trails; covered observation kiosks for birders and photographers; acquisition of conservation easements to protect the Lake and the Chacon watershed; the preservation of a greenbelt between the Lake and Texas A&M University; the formation of a partnership with TAMIU to study and preserve the Lake’s recreational and environmental assets.

III. RECENTLY FUNDED PROJECTS NOT ADMINISTERED BY THIS DEPARTMENT

1. Other Victim Assistance Grant

Project Status: Approved

Agency funded: $39,000.00

In-kind match: $ 9,583.00

This grant, funded by the Texas Attorney General’s Crime Services Division, funds the position of Victim Coordinator/Liaison within the Domestic Violence Unit of the Webb County District Attorney’s office. The Victim Coordinator/Liaison assists victims of domestic violence with filing Crime Victims’ Impact Forms, Crime Victims’ Compensation Forms, and performs case-management and victims advocacy functions. The position of Victim Coordinator/Liaison was filled shortly after receipt of award notification, and program services are being provided to victims of domestic violence.

2. Webb County Border Colonias Access Program (BCAP) Grant Application:

Project Status: Approved

Agency Funding $5,500,000.00

The fourteen applications include one allocation application and thirteen competitive applications for street paving in needy colonias. The allocation application is for Penitas West for $3,881,241, and the competitive applications include the following towns and colonias: Botines and Replats, Bruni, D-5 Acres, Laredo Ranchettes, Inc., Los Altos, Los Minerales-Ranchitos IV, Annex & Antonio Santos, Mirando and Mirando Addition, Oilton and Rodriguez Addition, Old Milwaukee, Pueblo Nuevo, Ranchitos 359 East, San Carlos Phase I, and Tanquecitos South Acres. This project is being implemented by the Engineering and Planning Department with no further oversight by the Economic Development Department.

3. Webb County Indigent Defense Formula Grant Application:

Project Status: Approved

Funding Request: $95,113.00

Funding Received: $100,865.00

The formula grant application was submitted for $95,113.00 on October 20, 2004 . This funding is allotted to the Webb County Public Defender’s Office, which administers the grant to fund an Indigent Defense Coordinator position and to provide legal defense to accused persons who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Notification of funding in the amount of $100,865.00 was sent out by the Texas Task Force on Indigent Defense on December 15, 2004 . The increased funding amount was due to increased revenue sources authorized by the 78^th Legislature and to the fact that many counties did not apply. This grant funds the position and activities of the Indigent Defense Coordinator, who serves as a liaison among the Public Defender’s Office, the courts, and indigent defendants. This grant expires in January, but refunding at a higher figure is expected.

IV. ON- GOING PROJECTS BEING ADMINISTERED BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT:

1. Webb County 21^st Century Strategic Economic Initiative Project

Project Status: Ongoing

Project Budget: $587,915.00

Agency Funding: $411,471.00

Match: $176,444.00

The Webb County Economic Development Department submitted the Digest of Potential Community and Economic Development Projects for Funding Consideration by the Economic Development Administration on January 25, 2005 . The full application was submitted in October, 2005. This project will create a comprehensive master plan for the proposed new railroad bridge at Colombia , as well as the rail bypass and commercial district to serve it. The project received favorable comments from the South Texas Development Council’ Government Application Review Committee, meeting in Zapata on November 17, 2005 . The grant contract has been signed and returned to the funding agency. Project activity is expected to commence during the 1st quarter of 2006.

2. VISTA Re-funding Application (2^nd Year):

Project Status: Approved

Agency Funding: $291,525.00

In-kind Match: $13,675.00

The VISTA re-funding application was funded for the second year of a three-year project in October of 2004. The total grant awarded to Webb County for the second year was $291,525.00, with an in-kind match of $13,675. This project provides for the employment of 17 VISTA volunteers (8 actually currently employed) who serve in various Webb County departments and Offices including the Economic Development Department, the Sheriff’s Office, Time Bank, Laredo Literacy Volunteers and American Red Cross. Other partners in this grant initiative include the STDC's Area Agency on Aging, the Laredo Regional Food Bank, and the Webb County Community Action Agency. The current VISTA supervisor is Gerardo Vasquez. This grant expires December 30, 2005 .

3. Webb County 2002 EDAP Project (TCDP Contract #721175)

Project Status: Ongoing

Agency Funding: $300,000.00/ ORCA

Start Date July 5, 2002

Project Location: Colonia Old Milwaukee and Colonia Tanquecitos I

Sherfey Engineering was awarded this contract on December 9, 2002 . The Special Conditions included in the project contract have been addressed. The Engineering contract has been cleared by County Attorney 's office and approved by County Commissioner 's Court. Due to the delays encountered by the TWDB and the City of Laredo in platting Old Milwaukee, and in right-of-way acquisition affecting the extension of water and sewer services to the colonias on Highway 359, this project fell severely behind schedule. The plans for this project are approximately 90% complete, Plans and specs are currently being reviewed by the City of Laredo Engineering Department. The delay on this project was caused by lack of platting in Old Milwaukee. The City of Laredo had to go through the process of platting, with Foster Engineering hired for that purpose. The preliminary plat was submitted and approved in February 2005. This project is currently dormant and will resume once work in Tanquecitos I begins.

4. Citizen Corps Council

Project Status: Ongoing

Agency Funding: Texas Association of Regional Councils

The creation of a CCC provided the networking structure to enable the County to acquire Homeland Security grants for the purchase of two defibrillators for use in rural community centers, the training of CERTS teams and the establishment of Neighborhood Watch programs. Under the 2006 Americorps VISTA refunding, the establishment and maintenance of a functional and functioning CCC will be a major goal (end outcome/performance measure) for the VISTA program in 2006. Promotional materials have been ordered and received, and will be distributed at those meetings and at other venues. The establishment of a fully functional CCC is one of the two projected end-outcomes of the 3^rd. year VISTA project.

5. Webb County Interoperability Project (TEEX)

Project Status: Ongoing

Agency Funding: $324,945.00

This project’s purpose is to attain full communications interoperability Level 4 in accordance with the State’s Project 25. The equipment purchased with this grant will allow all law enforcement personnel to be able to communicate with each other on shared frequencies. Motorola radio equipment for law enforcement will be ordered including antennas and radio repeater stations.

6. Tanquecitos I Sanitary Sewer Collection System (TCDP #722205)

Project Status: Ongoing

Agency Funding: $731,863 Total

$500,000 ORCA

$221,863 TWDB

County Match : $10,000 In-kind

The purpose of this project is to construct a sanitary sewer collection system in Colonia Los Tanquecitos I in conjunction with planned water and sewer improvements by the City of Laredo, the TWDB and the on-going Economically Distressed Area Programs (EDAP). All special contractual conditions have been met, and the Release of Funds letter has been received. Sherfey Engineering Co., L. L. C., were the original engineers on the project. Crane Engineering, hired by the City of Laredo . The project is anticipated to take eleven months to complete. An Interlocal Agreement has been executed with the City to allow the County to transfer funds to them. Construction should be completed by the date of November 2006. Bids on this project opened on December 9, 2005 and are currently under review. Work will begin as soon as a contractor is chosen and the contracts executed by the City of Laredo .

7. SAMHSA Targeted Capacity Expansion Grant

Project Status: Approved

Agency funding: $500,000.00

The County has partnered with the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) for the expansion and enhancement of drug treatment and intervention services in Webb County . This project will address gaps in treatment capacity created by recent regional funding cuts to provide a comprehensive, integrated and community-based response to well-documented problems with methamphetamine and other emerging trend drugs such as Xanax, Valium and others easily acquired in Mexico . Training in the program has been provided to members of the Economic Development Department and other project partners. Further training and outreach will involve the Juvenile Justice Department, the Drug Courts and others who will potentially make referrals to the SAMHSA program. The first draw on program funds has been made, $20,000.00 to be applied to payroll and office operations.

8. TDHCA Owner Occupied Housing Assistance Program

Project Status: Approved

Agency funding: $70,261.00

This grant funds $67,559.00 for reconstruction and $2,702.00 in administration costs. It will underwrite the complete reconstruction of two homes in Webb County colonias at a cost of $35,000.00+ each. The qualifying houses will be rebuilt from the slabs up, or if the roof is intact, the houses will be gutted and interiors and walls reconstructed. The project contract has been signed and returned to the funding agency. Environmental studies are in progress.

9. HOME Contract for Deed Conversion with Rehabilitation

Project Status: Approved

Agency funding: $520,000.00

This grant provides half a million dollars in project funding, coupled with $20,000.00 for administrative costs. The monies will be used to convert contracts for deed held by at least nine Webb County colonia residents, thereby giving them clear title to their homes under warranty deeds. The liens retained by the State will become forgivable loans if the owners continue to reside in the homes for ten to twenty years, depending on the amounts required to pay out the contracts. The program will then be able to initiate rehabilitation of the homes, which cannot be done until the owners have clear title to their properties. The program will be administered out of the Webb County Self-Help Center on Highway 359.

10. Webb County 2005-2006 Community Development Project

Project Status: Approved

Agency funding: $800,000.00

County match: $ 80,369.00 (cash and in-kind)

The Community Development Grant includes funding for several projects. One is the construction of a Community Center in Penitas West adjacent to the Penitas West recreational park and within the ten-acre county property. It will provide meeting space as well as a hub for County programs such as housing rehabilitation, food distribution, health screening and indoor recreation. The builder’s contract is under review by the County Attorney ’s office, pending approval. Construction is expected to begin at the end of January or beginning of February, 2006. Another project funded by the grant is the Tool Library, which conducted the formal groundbreaking ceremony on December 22, 2005 . The Tool Library is being built with concrete reinforced compressed soil blocks made on site as a prototype structure for alternative low-cost and energy efficient construction materials. The contract for the Tool Library has been drafted by the County Attorney and is pending review by the Economic Development Department. The grant was also to have funded construction of drainage improvements in colonias San Carlos I and San Carlos II. Since the Engineering Department has also received funding for San Carlos drainage, a modification of the grant contract is being sought. If the modifications are granted, the monies will be redirected to the construction of Community Center for the colonias on Highway 59.

11. Webb County Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) Grant Application:

Project Status: Approved

Agency funding: $30,000.00

In-kind match: $10,000.00

This grant program will expose a cross section of underprivileged minority at-risk youth to the recreational activities available through the Texas State Park System—fishing, day camping, birding, etc. The plan calls for fifteen one-day trips to State Parks and Natural Areas. These destinations offer a variety of sporting and cultural activities, with hands-on instruction supplied by Park guides and docents. The grant also requires participating UISD and LISD schools to incorporate funded activities into their curricula pre- and post trip. One trip has been completed, with 45 students from Salvador Garcia Middle School attending Texas Expo in Austin in October. Two schools—Borchers Elementary and Lyndon B. Johnson High School had planned a visit to the LBJ birthplace and living history farm on December 9, but the excursion was cancelled due to severe weather. The schools are expected to reschedule. A group from Matias de Llano Elementary is tentatively scheduled to make a trip to Bensen-Rio Grande State Park in January or February 2006.

12. Webb County Colonia Economically Distressed Areas Program (CEDAP) Grant Application (#724195; Vela Tract):

Project Status: Approved

Agency funding: $482,000.00

In-kind match: $58,000.00

This grant will provide first-time sewer and water connections to 30 homes in the Vela Tract, south of the City of Rio Bravo . As a prerequisite to installation of the water service, the project will also provide for platting of the illegally-developed area and the paving of one road providing access to the tract. The project includes laying 4,400 linear feet of eight-inch water pipe, 4,500 linear feet of four-inch sewer pipe, and the installation of ten fire hydrants in addition to the residential connections. Resulting County water and service revenues are expected to be modest, but will increase somewhat with further development of the area. The County Attorney is currently preparing the contract for Foster Engineering to carry out the platting. Once the contract is ready, platting will begin. Pubic meetings will be held at the Rio Bravo Community Center to inform Vela Tract residents of the progress of the project and to address their concerns.

13. Webb County Nutrition/ Health Learning Center Project

Project Status: Approved

Agency funding: $96,000.00 (HUD)

In-kind match: $30,000.00

In conjunction with Texas A&M University , Webb County will construct a building that will serve as a demonstration kitchen/classroom for nutrition/health classes. The demonstration kitchen will be fully equipped to provide cooking and nutrition classes to colonia residents. The building will also have office and storage space for the Texas A&M University Colonias Program staff. This building will be built under the Design Built concept and will utilize the use of compressed soil blocks and to some degree, volunteer labor as part of construction classes provided by the Self-Help Center staff.

V. OTHER ACTION PROGRAMS BEING ADMINISTERED BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1. Webb County Self-Help Center Program:

Project Status: Ongoing

Agency Funding: $1,265,060.00/two years

Funding Source: TDHCA, OCI Grant

The current project has been on-going since October 10, 2004 and is scheduled to terminate on October 9, 2006 . Currently, the staff totals four. The program has an Interim Director and plans are to evaluate the program and recommend a permanent administrative staffing of the program. All project activities for the new contract period started October 10th.

· Housing Rehabilitation	· Housing Reconstruction
· Special Needs (Handicap) Home Improvements	· Colonia Beautification/ Cleanup Campaigns
· Tool Lending Library	· Safety & Construction Classes
· Voluntary House Relocation	· Special New House Construction using Earthen Blocks
· Outreach	· Technical Assistance
· Colonia Meetings	· Food Pantry
· Clothing Closet	· Contract for Deed Conversion
· Housing Indoor Plumbing Improvements

This new contract includes partnerships with Texas A & M’s College of Architecture and the Office of Colonia Initiatives (OCI), and will initiate the design and construction of a model building within the proposed Self-Help Center building complex. The intended use of this building will be for storage, warehousing, and/or tool library space. The Federal agency HUD (Housing and Urban Development) has encouraged the staff to develop and submit a Model Pilot Program for Alternative Energy Materials - Compressed Earth Blocks. Groundbreaking for the Tool Library took place on December 22, 2005 . A Nutrition and Health Education Center will also be part of the Self-Help Center complex. Funding has been received and planning will proceed in concert with Texas A&M.

2. Neighborhood Initiatives (NI)

Project Status: Ongoing

Agency Funding: $1,000,000.00/HUD

Neighborhood Initiatives (NI) is being implemented on schedule, and housing rehab activity has begun. Ms. Aida Arispe is the Program Coordinator. The first ten homes were approved by County Commissioner 's Court on October 12, 2004 . The original target area has been expanded in order to access those areas which contain substantial substandard housing. The staff has geared up in training and equipment to produce individual home floor plans in-house, design proposed improvements and all related work needed in order to solicit construction bids for housing rehab projects. During a recent meeting with HUD officials, the County expressed concerns over the delays encountered by the lack of water and sewer in the project area. HUD was very receptive to the expansion of the target area in order to maintain the project line items. Performance targets currently call for the installation of indoor plumbing in 32 homes and major rehabilitation of the same number. The two functions are being carried out in tandem. So far, indoor plumbing has been installed in 21 homes, and fourteen have been rehabilitated. Applications for NI assistance are still being taken. Currently ten applications are under review prior to submission to the scoring committee. This project terminates September 30, 2006 .

3. Webb County Contract-for-Deed Conversion Project:

Project Status: Ongoing

Agency Funding: $520,000.00/TDHCA

In-kind match: $20,000.00

Target Area: Unincorporated areas in Webb County

This project will work with thirteen homes for deed conversion and rehabilitation. Currently, there are thirteen homes lined up for conversion and rehab. Current funding provides $45,000.00 per home. Presently, five applications have been approved, with environmental assessments to begin shortly. Six applications are pending due to missing incomplete information.

4. Webb County HOME Major Reconstruction Project:

Project Status: Ongoing

Agency Funding: $520,000.00/HOME

In-kind match: $0.00

This project targets unincorporated areas in Webb County with existing water and sewer systems or State-approved residential septic tank systems. The Major Reconstruction Project will target sixteen homes in various colonias for major reconstruction and rehabilitation, with a budget of approximately $30,000.00 per house. The project commenced in October 2004. An intake campaign was conducted from March 21 to April 22, 2005 and again during the Summer and Fall months of 2005.

5. Webb County Safe Havens Program:

Project Status: Approved

Agency funding: $350,000

In-kind match: $-0-

Project Sub-Contractor: Laredo Child Advocacy Center

Currently operating under a grant time extension up to March 31, 2006 . Refunding efforts reported under Section II, item #1 of this report. Project operating as planned but with lower numbers (cases) than originally projected. CAC has continued to work with the Board of Judges to solicit case referrals in order to increase project numbers. Refunding time period differences between April 1, 2006 and October 1, 2006 will be the main issue to resolve this next year.

VI. RECENTLY COMPLETED AND CLOSED OUT PROJECTS:

1. Community Volunteer Community Emergency Response Team s (CERT):