Sugar Land - Missouri City Edition | May 2023

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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 9 MAY 11JUNE 8, 2023

FUNDING EDUCATION IN TEXAS Private schools With a budget surplus of over $32 billion, public education advocates are calling on state lawmakers to invest more in public schools. At the same time, legislators could pass a school choice bill this session to provide families with funds to leave public schools and enroll in private schools. Public schools

The basic allotment—state funding school districts receive per student to provide basic education

How much families would receive per student for education-related expenses under Senate Bill 8

$6,160

$8,000 $10,454

Dog Haus to bring burgers, gourmet hot dogs

Increase needed to match ination since 2019-20

Average private school tuition in Texas*

$900

THE TEXAS HOUSE PASSED HOUSE BILL 100 ON APRIL 27, PROPOSING A $140 INCREASE IN THE BASIC ALLOTMENT OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. AS OF PRESS TIME, IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

*This number is as of May 4.

How Texas compares

Local attendance rates

After factoring in additional allotments for special education, bilingual, gifted and talented, and other programs, the state spends $9,369 per student on average.

As of 2021-22, less than 6% of students living within Fort Bend ISD’s boundaries attended private schools.

Private school attendance within Fort Bend ISD’s boundaries

9 events to attend in the area this May

0 2K 6K 4K 8K

Texas average $9,369 U.S. average $13,679

City considers multifamily development

(Projected) 6,153 students

In per-student spending by state, Texas ranks

#42

Public school performance in FBISD

Proponents of school choice legislation argue a perceived decline in public school performance statewide is a reason to encourage alternative education options. Fort Bend ISD State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness scores match these trends in some subjects, but it still performed above the state average in 2022. State average STAAR scores in 2022

Development

ALGEBRA I

BIOLOGY

ENGLISH I

U.S. HISTORY

ENGLISH II

80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

90%

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'17 '18 '19 '21 '22

Year (2017-22)

School choice bill advances despite public education advocates’ opposition A proposal to use state money to help parents pay for private schools was approved by the Texas Senate on April 6, setting the stage for a contentious debate in the House. Senate Bill 8, led by Sen. Brandon Creighton, RConroe, would create an education savings account BY DANICA LLOYD, HANNAH NORTON & DANIEL WEEKS program, also known as private school vouchers. Par- ents who pull their children out of public schools could receive $8,000 per student for private school tuition and other education-related expenses. SB 8 is one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s seven emergency CONTINUED ON 24 SOURCES: EDUCATION WEEK’S 2021 SCHOOL FINANCE RANKINGS, FORT BEND ISD 2023 POPULATION AND SURVEY ANALYSTS REPORT, SENATE BILL 8, 2021 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, PRIVATE SCHOOL REVIEWCOMMUNITY IMPACT NOTE: 2020 IS MISSING AS ENDOFCOURSE TESTING IN SPRING 2020 WAS CANCELED

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Miller Outdoor Theatre has delighted generations of audiences for 100 years with the best in performing arts entertainment. And every performance free. JOIN THE SEASON-LONG CELEBRATION. Enjoy eight months of the best music, dance, theatre

and more. Plus, celebratory events throughout the year packed with fun for the whole family. With enough time to roll down the hill. milleroutdoortheatre.com/celebratemiller

MAY 12 — HAPPY BIRTHDAY MILLER! Let’s celebrate together with a larger-than-life birthday cake with slices for all served during intermission. Make memories with a photo in the 7-foot cake. And sign the giant Miller card, starting at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. Houston Ballet presents George Balanchine’s Jewels.

SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MAY 2023

NOT ALL MAMMOGRAMS ARE THE SAME

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THIS ISSUE

ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH

MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Amy Martinez REPORTER Renee Farmer

FROM AMY: We hope you are enjoying the stories and news updates we provide each month in our printed edition. But did you know that we also provide daily news updates on our digital platforms? Visit us at communityimpact.com to learn more, stay up-to-date on everything happening in the community and request access to our daily e-newsletter so the news comes straight to your inbox. Amy Martinez, GENERAL MANAGER

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FROM KELLY: Our front-page story this month looks at a school voucher program state legislators are considering. Gov. Greg Abbott made providing funding for families to be able to send their children to private schooling a priority in this session. We talked to experts and our local school district to nd out what this legislation could mean for the area if passed. Kelly Shaer, MANAGING EDITOR

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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MAY 2023

IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

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PROMENADE WAY

5 American Family Care Urgent Care Center celebrated its grand opening April 20 in Sugar Land at 3551 Hwy. 6. AFC Urgent Care is open seven days a week and oers walk-in urgent care, lab testing and vaccinations as well as telehealth services. The brand has 250 locations across the United States, including a number in the Greater Houston area. 281-277-0036. www.afcurgentcare.com/sugar-land 6 Bricks & Minigs Sugar Land held a grand opening April 22 at 7850 W. Grand Parkway S., Ste. 800, Richmond. The af- termarket Lego toy shop buys, trades and sells new and used Legos. It also oers birthday party and event packages, sum- mer camps, and workshops. The brand has other locations across the country. 281-762-0583. www.bricksandminigs.com/sugarland-tx 7 Pet supply retailer Pet Supplies Plus opened an independently owned and run location April 21 at 350 Promenade Way, Ste. 400, Sugar Land. It oers pet food, treats, toys, live sh, reptiles, birds and small animals. Cat adoptions, a self-serve pet wash and grooming services in an on- site salon are available as well. 281-903-7537. www.petsuppliesplus.com 8 Shine Beauty , a hair product store, opened its second location April 13 at 9720 Hwy. 6, Missouri City. The store oers beauty products, such as shampoos, conditioners, straighteners, products for dying and bleaching hair, wigs, weaves, and clips in a space that is more than 1,200 square feet, store manager Jason Go said. Shine Beauty owns another location at 5011 Hwy. 6, Ste. 110, Missouri City. 281-261-7160. https://shine-beauty- supply-missouri-city.edan.io

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NOW OPEN 1 MOD Pizza opened a new location in Missouri City at 10407 Hwy. 6 on March 28. The fast-casual restaurant chain sells artisan-style pizzas, including a build- your-own pizza option, and has numerous other locations around the Houston area and the United States. 346-509-8970. www.modpizza.com 2 International gourmet kebab brand German Doner Kebab opened its fast- casual restaurant April 19 at 2148 Texas Drive, Sugar Land. In addition to kebabs,

GDK oers burgers, quesadillas and wraps along with a variety of sides. The Sugar Land location is the brand’s third in the United States. 346-368-2164. www.germandonerkebab.com 3 Haraz Coee House , a Yemeni coee brewery, opened April 17 in Sugar Land. The new location at 13582 University Blvd., Ste. 100, Sugar Land, oers hot and cold coees, espressos, snacks and dining/work space as well as roasted coee beans. A Haraz Coee House spokesperson said all coee sold at Haraz Coee House comes from Yemen. The concept is headquartered

in Dearborn, Michigan. Haraz Coee House coee can also be purchased online via the business’s website. 346-620-2040. www.harazcoeehouse.com 4 Seven25 Cafe & Daiquiris , a new restaurant, pub and cocktail bar in Missou- ri City, opened March 18 at 9050 Hwy. 6, Ste. 120. The diner oers scratch Southern food, alcoholic drinks and daiquiris. In addition, customers can order desserts, such as an Oreo cheesecake or “the candy slab.” 281-778-0124. www.facebook.com/ seven25cafe

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Prices, plans, features and options are subject to change without notice. Prices shown are based on home prices and do not include costs and fees, modifications to plans and custom features which may substantially affect final cost of home. Please check accuracy of information provided with your sales agent prior to purchasing. Features noted above could be plan or lot specific. Pictures, photographs/renderings, colors, features, and sizes are for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. Home and community information, including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities, are subject to change at any time without notice or obligation. Square footage is approximate only. Additional restrictions may apply. Furnishings and decorative items not included with home purchase. Artist renderings only. Subject to change. Schools, districts and zoning are outside of D.R. Horton, Inc.’s control and subject to change at any time. Buyer should conduct his or her own investigation of the present and future availability of school districts and school assignments. Seller has no control or responsibility for any changes to school districts or school assignments should they occur in the future. 11/2022.

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Pet Supplies Plus

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

COURTESY PET SUPPLIES PLUS

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9 AALVO , a laser-cutting and interior design space, opened its rst storefront April 22 at 13003 Murphy Road, Ste. M7, Staord. Owner Amy Chantra opened the store online in 2018, but the brick-and- mortar store now features Chantra’s laser-cutting services and interior design skills. The business also provides event space for photographers, bakers and other creatives to rent out the space for various classes or events. Some classes being oered this summer include candle making for adults in May, cake decorating in June and July, and classes oriented around science, technology, engineering and mathematics for children ages 8-16 in June and July as well. A signup link will soon be posted to the business website, Chantra said. 832-277-7247. www.shopaalvo.com 10 Popshelf , a concept by Dollar Gen- eral that originally debuted in Tennessee in 2020, opened its rst Missouri City store April 10 at 4042 Trammel Fres- no Road. The store oers home decor, beauty and a host of other items for $5 or less for what an April 10 news release described as “guilt-free shopping.” Dollar General owns more than 140 Popshelf locations nationwide. 281-751-9110. www.popshelf.com COMING SOON 11 Pet groomer and boutique Splash and Dash will open a new location in August at 13513 University Blvd., Ste. 900, Sugar Land. The location will oer grooming services as well as a boutique in the front of the store selling pet food, treats and accessories. All food and treats sold are made in the United States with seven

ingredients or less. The company was founded in Florida and has only one other Texas location in Coppell. www.splashanddashfordogs.com 12 Outdoor pickleball courts are coming soon to Life Time in Sugar Land at 1331 Hwy. 6. The tness club will invest over $1 million into 28,000 square feet to add 13 outdoor courts with fencing, ac- cording to a Texas Department of Licens- ing and Regulation ling. As of April, Life Time has more than 500 courts, intending to exceed 1,000 by the end of 2024, according to a news release. The project is estimated to begin July 1 and be complete Oct. 1. 281-340-3100. www.lifetime.life 13 Five Below , a discount store with a focus on selling many items for $5 or below, is coming soon to Missouri City. A spokesperson for the chain said April 3 that the new 8,470-square-foot store at Fort Bend Town Center Phase II is projected to open in fall 2023. Five Below sells a wide variety of items including home decor, toys, beauty products, arts and crafts, and groceries. The store will be the second Five Below location in Missouri City. Fort Bend Town Center Phase II is located at the intersection of Hwy. 6 and Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road in Missouri City. www.vebelow.com 14 Kelsey-Seybold Aliana will construct a new outpatient medical clinic at 11225 W. Grand Parkway S., Richmond, ac- cording to a TDLR ling. Work on the $15 million, three-story facility is estimated to begin June 1 and be complete in August 2024. Kelsey-Seybold is a clinic system based in the Greater Houston area. 713-442-0427. www.kelsey-seybold.com

Dog Haus will serve gourmet burgers and hot dogs from its new Missouri City eatery.

COURTESY DOG HAUS

FEATURED IMPACT COMING SOON California-based concept Dog Haus will open this summer at 5414 Hwy. 6, Missouri City, a company spokesperson said via email. The eatery will serve gourmet hot dogs, sausages, burgers, fried chicken and plant-based oerings, as well as a full bar. “Texans appreciate quality food, great customer service and a good time, so we’re already a match made in heaven,” said Erik Hartung, Dog Haus executive vice president of franchise development, in a news release. “Dog Haus continues to grow and gain more fans, so there’s no doubt that everything is bigger in Texas.” Dog Haus aims to have over 30 Texas 15 Hopdoddy Burger Bar will open a new location at 4936 Waterview Town Center Drive, Richmond, in late 2023. The chain is known for its burgers, sharable fries and drinks. Hopdoddy was founded in 2010 in Austin and has more than 40 locations in eight states. www.hopdoddy.com

locations in the next few years, according to a news release. The chain currently operates 55 brick-and-mortar locations nationwide, with eight currently open in Texas. The rst Dog Haus location opened in Pasadena,

California, in 2010. www.doghaus.com

16 Family-owned pizzeria chain Simple Simon’s Pizza will open a new location in May at 13802 FM 1464, Richmond. The restaurant sells pizzas, calzones, wings and desserts. Headquartered in Glenpool, Oklahoma, Simple Simon’s Pizza has over 230 locations across the country. 281-302-6662. www.simplesimonspizza.com

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SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MAY 2023

TODO LIST

May events

COMPILED BY JACK DOWLING

MAY 11 ATTEND A TOWN HALL Residents can make their voices heard at the State of the Tax Oce town hall meeting at the Missouri City Community Center. Tax Assessor- Collector Carmen Turner will address property taxes, exemptions and the oce’s plans for 2023. 6-8 p.m. Free. 1522 Missouri City Drive, Missouri City. www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/ departments/tax-assessor-collector 13 LISTEN FOR A GOOD CAUSE The Tidelanders perform a benet concert for Fort Bend Family Promise. The concert at First United Methodist Church will feature barbershop melodies, rock ‘n’ roll, patriotic songs and Broadway musicals. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and the concert will start at 2 p.m. $20-$25. 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City. 281-499-3502. www.fumcmc.org 14 ENJOY LIVE MUSIC Listen to the smooth tones of Charlie Wilson at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land. The band features Jerey Osborne, Freddie Jackson and special guest Karyn White for “An Evening of Soul.” 7 p.m. $67-$312. 18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-207-6278.

www.smartnancialcentre.net/events/ charlie-wilson 15 RELAX WITH YOGA YesYoga’s Mindful Mondays are held at Sugar Land Town Square. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Free. 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land. 281-242-2000. www.sugarlandtownsquare.com 20 VIEW WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY Experience the award-winning wildlife photography of Chris Narvaez at the Missouri City Branch Library as he shares his work from around the world. Narvaez will provide tips on preparing for a photography trip, selecting equipment, taking action shots and enhancing photographs. 2 p.m. Free. 1530 Texas Parkway, Missouri City. 281-238-2100. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us 20 RAISE MONEY FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS Help raise funds for ne arts, after-school programs and capital funding for the Edison Arts Foundation at the organization’s Tutus and Tuxes Fundraising Gala. The gala will be held at the future site of the Edison Center. 7 p.m. Tickets start at $100 via Eventbrite, although sponsorship packages are available from $1,000-$10,000. 7100 West Fuqua Drive,

MAY 20

CHECK OUT A FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL BRAZOS RIVER PARK

Attendees can browse a variety of food trucks at the Food Truck Festival & Picnic at Brazos River Park in Sugar Land. The event features a rae with sponsors from Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve and Kendra Scott. Event proceeds go to CareFull of Love, a nonprot targeting abuse and neglect in nursing homes. 2-8 p.m. Free (attendance). 18427 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land. CareFulloove@gmail.com. https://bit.ly/416lFKc (Courtesy CareFull of Love)

29 CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY Pay tribute with Sugar Land’s Memorial Day ceremony at Sugar Land Memorial Park. The event will feature food trucks, military vehicle displays and a yover by Houston Commemorative Wing. A memorial program will run from 11 p.m. to noon. Shuttles will run from Brazos River Park to Memorial Park from 9:30 a.m. to the event’s end. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 15300 University Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-275-2825.www.sugarlandtx.gov/921/ memorial-day-ceremony

Missouri City. 832-388-1039. https://bit.ly/3A8bCsl 20 THROUGH 21 GROW A GREEN THUMB During the two-day Sugar Land Home and Outdoor Living Show, attendees can talk to local experts and visit with vendors. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (May 20), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (May 21). Free (children under 12), $7 (online), $10 (at the door). 10505 Cash Road, Staord. 832-265-2001. https://bit.ly/3UG2kgv

Find more or submit Sugar Land and Missouri City events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

COMPILED BY RENEE FARMER & KELLY SCHAFLER

Houston-Galveston Area Council prepares for 2045 regional transportation plan updates

INVESTMENT BY CORRIDOR The Houston-Galveston Area Council’s 2045 Regional Transportation Plan includes 750 projects in Houston, from hike and bike trails to highway widenings. I-69/Hwy. 59 corridor Hwy. 290 corridor

ONGOING PROJECTS

With the Houston region estimated to double its population by 2045, the Houston-Galveston Area Council has laid out its plans to accommodate the corresponding growth in transpor- tation needs with its 2045 Regional Transportation Plan Update. The H-GAC’s Transportation Policy Council approved and adopted the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan Update, or RTP, on April 28 following a public comment period. H-GAC updates its RTP, which guides major transportation investments, every four years. “The RTP allows for us to bring down federal and state funds into our eight-county region,” said Anita Hollmann-Matijcio, H-GAC’s regional planning manager, in a news release. “It helps us prioritize and understand what projects should be funded, where we need to fund projects and how to move forward. By planning 20 years out, it allows for us to be prepared to accommodate for future

needs and have the funds to do so.” The agency’s vision for 2045 is “a safe, resilient, equitable and reliable multimodal transportation system that contributes to a livable region,” officials said. The H-GAC’s goals include achiev- ing and maintaining a state of good repair; moving people and goods reliably and efficiently; strengthening regional economic competitiveness; and conserving and protecting natural and cultural resources. The plan addresses transporta- tion concerns gathered from 2022 surveys. Participants prefer to travel safer and not necessarily faster, Hollmann-Matijcio noted. Those inside of Beltway 8 wanted better quality roads and a variety of travel options. Respondents outside of Beltway 8 wanted shorter commutes, reliable travel times, less congestion and better transit options. To see planned projects, visit www.bit.ly/2045rtp.

I-10 W. corridor Downtown Houston I-45 N. corridor Grand Parkway I-10 E. corridor Beltway 8 Hwy. 288 corridor I-45 S. corridor Loop 610 Hwy. 249 corridor I-69 N. Hwy. 90

Hwy. 6 widening A Texas Department of Transporta- tion project to widen Hwy. 6 in Sugar Land from Brooks Street to Lexington Boulevard is mostly complete, but the agency is working to resolve the remaining utility issues, TxDOT Public Information Officer Kristina Hadley said. The project expanded the road from six to eight lanes and added new traffic signals and fiber interconnec- tion to allow for remote management of the signals. Timeline: July 2019-summer 2023 Cost: $7.34 million Funding sources: federal, city of Sugar Land

By 2045, the H-GAC anticipates collecting $141 billion in revenue from federal and state allocations and tolls. It recommends $109 billion in transit, operations and intersection improvements.

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MAY 4. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT SLMNEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.

SOURCE: HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL/ COMMUNITY IMPACT $0 $3B $6B $9B $12B $15B

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SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MAY 2023

DEVELOPMENT The Pearl targets young professionals with 370-unit multifamily development proposal

FLUOR DANIEL DR.

CREEKBEND DR.

BY JACK DOWLING

developer, Morgan Group. According to city sta, retail options are missing from the development because there are deed restrictions on the property. “Pearl will fulll a key missing component by providing Lake Pointe with Class A rental resi- dential owned and managed by a rst-class company,” the pro- posal letter from Morgan Group said. “New Class A multifamily is important to Sugar Land’s ability to continue attracting and retaining companies who are attempting to attract and retain young professionals who are renters by choice.” The letter also mentions benets to the city, including quality of life and property taxes. Morgan Group owns 18 other Pearl projects, including loca- tions in City Centre, downtown

Houston, Midtown Houston, Greenway and River Oaks. City ocials have acknowledged the development cuts into the shrinking amount of available multifamily units left before the city runs over its 88% to 12% sin- gle-family-to-multifamily ratio as outlined in its 2018 Land Use Plan. If the Pearl is given the green light by City Council and completed, the city will have room for 450 more multifamily units before sliding over the 12% ratio. This number includes multifamily units built as part of the Imperial Sugar District’s Char House project. The Planning and Zoning Com- mission recommended the project on April 11, and City Council approved the rst reading of the ordinance May 2. City Council must approve a second reading of the ordinance at a future meeting.

The Pearl—a new ve-story, 370-unit multifamily residential development—is under consider- ation by the city of Sugar Land. Designed for “young profession- als,” the development will include amenities such as 9,600 square feet of exible coworking oce space; 4,425 square feet of meeting space; and 12,000 square feet for a leasing oce, a tness and gaming center, and a cafe/coee shop on the ground oor as well as ve “live-work units.” A dog park is also included in the design plans. The proposed development will lie along Creekbend Drive south of Fluor Daniel Drive in Lake Pointe Town Center. The 370 units will be one or two bedrooms, and will spread over 6.5 acres, according to docu- ments submitted by the project’s

INTRODUCING THE PEARL THE PEARL According to the Morgan Group, the Pearl is for “young professionals,” a population subset that looks for utility and nearby amenities to “lock and leave” their apartments. The multifamily development will include: The Pearl is a planned ve-story, 370-unit multifamily development that will include oce space and a dog park. (Rendering courtesy city of Sugar Land)

370 units

Dog park

9,600 square feet of coworking oce space 12,000 square feet for shared leasing

4,425 square feet of meeting space

Coee shop on ground oor SOURCE: MORGAN GROUPCOMMUNITY IMPACT

oce, and tness and gaming center

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

TRANSPORTATION

Sugar Land unveils 2023 Mobility Master Plan

PLANNING FOR CHANGE The mobility plan outlines a Transformative Mobility Network, which highlights corridors for improvement in the next 10-15 years.

BY RENEE FARMER

State-owned corridors Sugar Land-owned corridors

action plan, the plan also establishes a Transformative Mobility Network, which highlights the network of existing and proposed streets and trails where the city should focus its resources over the next 10 to 15 years. The action item list includes a pilot of an on-demand microtransit service open to all users. The six-passenger vans will use designated pickup locations anywhere in Sugar Land as well as door-to-door service. The city is applying for a Houston-Galveston Area Council grant for a one-year pilot and will look for permanent funding for the service if it sees demand, Adolph said. The city received funds from H-GAC’s Livable Centers Study Pro- gram to conduct its first small area plan. The plan will list infrastructure

After conducting resident surveys and more than a year of design and planning, the city of Sugar Land unveiled its 2023 Mobility Master Plan in February. The plan will help the city to address mobility as it nears build-out and focuses on redevelopment. It identifies five values to guide an effort to create safe and comfortable streets for all users, as well as 101 action items and a 100-day action plan. The core values are safety, accessi- bility, healthy lifestyles, innovation and proactivity. “These core values are a result of what we heard from the community during the extensive public engage- ment that took place throughout the plan’s development,” Sugar Land Communications Director Doug Adolph said. Work on the plan began in fall 2020.

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FESTIVAL BLVD.

projects and policy changes to create alternative trans- portation options connecting the Sugar Land Town Square to the Lake Pointe Town Center and foster infill development and redevelopment in these areas. “We hope to see more housing and

“SAFETY FOR ALL ROAD USERS, REGARDLESS OF MODE, AGE OR ABILITY, IS THE NO. 1 PRIORITY FOR ALL OF THE MOBILITY PROJECTS THAT ARE PLANNED IN THE CITY.” DOUG ADOLPH, SUGAR LAND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

RIVERBROOK DR.

GREATWOOD PKWY.

SOURCE: CITY OF SUGAR LAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

It went through three rounds of

not had the resources to support this program in the past,” Adolph said. Funding the plan Sugar Land is eyeing numerous external funding sources for the plan’s projects, including fees, a possible 2024 bond, grants, and partnerships with regional, state and federal agencies. The city has also already priori- tized several corridors and mobility projects, and applied for project funding from entities including the Texas Department of Transporta- tion, H-GAC, and the November

mobility and park bond Fort Bend County is considering. “We’ve been taking advantage of as many external funding opportunities as possible to try to leverage the city’s funds,” Adolph said. The Mobility Task Force unani- mously recommended the plan to Sugar Land City Council for adoption during its final meeting in February. The project awaits a planning and zoning commission public hearing, consideration and action prior to a City Council vote. A public hearing and two readings of the ordinance must happen before adoption.

community surveys, gathering over 1,900 responses, with residents primarily interested in street safety and adding

more trails for walking and biking. “Safety for all road users, regard- less of mode, age or ability, is the No. 1 priority for all of the mobility projects that are planned in the city, and aligns with regional planning goals as well,” Adolph said. Expanding transportation options In addition to action items and the

economic development opportuni- ties in these areas as a result of this program,” Adolph said. The plan also includes introducing a Safe Routes to School program, which will propose infrastructure projects to increase safety for children walking and biking to school. “This is something the city has wanted to do for a long time but has

SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MAY 2023

Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) at Hightower High School

Congratulations Fort Bend Independent School District congratulates the inaugural cohort of the P-TECH and Early College programs at Thurgood Marshall Early College High School, L.V. Hightower P-TECH Early College High School, and Willowridge P-TECH Early College High School.

Early College High School (ECHS) at Marshall High School

www.fortbendisd.com/chooseFBISD

Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) at Willowridge High School

Early College High School (ECHS) at Marshall High School

Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) at Hightower High School and Willowridge High School The P-TECH model is designed to ensure high school curriculum focuses on workforce needs and partnerships that support students in obtaining credentials, degrees and certificates. With the support of Educate Texas and the Texas Education Agency (TEA), participating schools target thriving industries in their region to address key workforce pathways in high-demand fields.

The ECHS model is a blend of high school and college coursework that allows students to earn up to 60 hours, or two years, of tuition-free college credit while earning a high school diploma. This model increases college readiness by providing rigorous instruction, coursework, and academic and social support.

A total of 96 students will be graduating with a Fort Bend ISD high school diploma and a Houston Community College associate degree and/or certification this spring. This cohort has demonstrated exceptional abilities, consistent perseverance and a desire to succeed. Congratulations on your tremendous achievement and good luck in your future endeavors!

GOVERNMENT

RISING DEBT

Despite efforts to quell Fort Bend County’s mounting debt for retiree health care costs, the liability for other post employment benefits—or OPEB—continues to rise.

Unfunded liability: The total annual contribution to fund retiree health care—paying doctor visits, emergency care and prescription costs—for all employees working toward retirement health care benefits as well as all current retirees and their spouses

$495.37M

$700M $600M $500M $400M $300M $200M $0

$207.2M

SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY AUDITOR/COMMUNITY IMPACT

$495M liability for retiree health care burdens Fort Bend County credit rating

BY ASIA ARMOUR

“We have to start getting aggressive with that,” Sturdivant said. Potential solutions The county has previously attempted to wrangle its financial obligation toward retiree health care, but none of these actions relieved the debt’s pressure, Meyers said. “The increase in health care costs, together with the increasing number of staff that we have to qualify for health care, have outrun our attempts to ... control the thing,” Meyers said. Sturdivant said the best way to curb the debt would be to contribute about $100 million-$200 million to the trust and let it grow in interest. But the county would need to dedicate dollars from its general fund, as the state does not authorize counties to issue bonds to fund OPEB liability. He said the Legislature was “not being very receptive” of the needed authorization. Sturdivant proposed taking every excess dollar in the budget and shift it to the trust. He said he believes there will be an excess by the end of the fiscal year in October. “We have to demonstrate to the public, to our retirees, our employees working toward retirement, our bond rating agencies [and] our under- writing team that we are not just ... waiting for this to go away,” he said.

Andy Meyers, Fort Bend County Pre- cinct 3 commissioner, has expressed concern for a looming $495 million debt, which threatens to negatively affect the county’s employees working toward retirement, taxpayers and credit rating for bonds. The debt is from the county’s liabil- ity for its retirees’ health care benefits, known as “other post employee benefits,” or OPEB. As of March, there were 797 retirees, 322 retiree spouses, and 727 current and former employees eligible for retirement. “We have a gargantuan unfunded liability sitting out there that we are still not doing anything about,” Meyers said during a March 7 discussion on the potential for a 2023 mobility bond. County Auditor Ed Sturdivant said inaction toward the debt could impact the county’s bond rating. If the rating is downgraded because the liability isn’t addressed, Sturdivant said each downgrade could result in a 5%-10% increase in the cost of future debt, making existing debt less marketable for bondholders. ”The county will do all that is necessary to avoid this,” he said. Currently, there is $5.6 million in a trust established January 2023 for the county’s OPEB liability, but Sturdivant said this is insignificant compared to the OPEB debt.

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GOVERNMENT Fort Bend County considers November bond despite $286M in remaining unissued bond funds

WAITING FOR FUNDS Fort Bend County has requested $863 million in the past five voter-approved bond programs. However, $286 million remains unissued by the county.

BY ASIA ARMOUR

Issued

Authorized

Slawinski said he believes the county is upside down on its mobility projects because of inflated costs of construction and rights of way. “We are paying about 25% more in general on our right-of-way acquisition cost,” he said. “The construction cost on our projects have gone up [by] about 35%. Those numbers have actually impacted a number of our ongoing projects.” Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales said it takes three years for the design, right-of-way acqui- sition and utility relocation before the county can “put a shovel in the ground.” He said the county changed its funding approach for the 2020 bond to only fund the design, right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation of projects. “We’re going to go back into this next bond to construct those,” Morales said. “Once the voters approve, we’ll be able to immediately put those out on the street to construct.” Next steps With the 4-0 vote March 7, commissioners let engineering and parks department officials move forward to identify priority projects. The court has until Aug. 7 to decide whether to put a bond on the Nov. 7 ballot, according to the county attorney. Based on how quickly projects are being com- pleted, Sturdivant proposed the bond be priced at $600 million or less—a 175% increase from the price tag on the county’s 2020 mobility bond program. Slawinski suggested the commissioners continue the practice of identifying funding for the design in one mobility program and vying for construction dollars in future bonds. “Give us three years to design and get the right-of- way acquisition started, and in the following mobility program we could [use construction funds] to get the project built,” Slawinski said. Morales said his office has reached out to his precinct’s municipalities to discover their priorities, with Katy and Fulshear submitting one project each.

Although hundreds of millions of dollars from previous voter-approved bonds remain unspent, Fort Bend County officials have begun considering projects for a possible bond for November’s ballot. Fort Bend County Commissioners Court instructed its engineering as well as parks and recreation offices to collect a list of projects for a proposed mobility and parks bond in a 4-0 vote March 7. County Judge KP George abstained from the motion, citing concerns about unfunded projects remaining from previous voter-approved bonds in recent years. “[I am] not against the bond, and I’m not against issuing debt, ... but I don’t see any reason why we have to take an action today,” he said. Nearly $300 million in bond projects remain unfunded from the more than $860 million approved in the past five voter-approved bonds since 2000, County Engineer Stacy Slawinski said. However, commissioners cited rising construction costs and the time needed to construct projects for delays in construction. They said they believe the county should decide now which projects should take precedence if a new bond is proposed. Outstanding projects Projects from the past three bonds are still ongo- ing, and of the $218.2 million approved in 2020, none of the money had been issued toward projects as of April 12, County Auditor Ed Sturdivant said. At the March 14 council meeting, commissioners approved a $75 million advanced funding agree- ment to start 30 mobility projects from past bonds. Sturdivant said the agreement increased by another $25 million in April to account for the county’s invest- ment on the northbound segment of Grand Parkway frontage road construction—from Westheimer Parkway to Cinco Ranch Boulevard. However, he said funding for more than 80 projects from the last two bond programs remain authorized but unissued.

2000

$86M

2007

$156M

2013

$185M

2017

$218M

$150M

2020

$218.2M

STALLED ON PROJECTS Even with an advanced funding agreement for ongoing projects that increased to $100 million in April, over 80 are still ongoing. County officials estimate they would need $78 million in the next bond program to complete outstanding projects.

Completed

Ongoing

2013

2017

2020

52 total

68 total

71 total

SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Now Enrolling for 2023-2024

Tracy Faultry 713) 859-2508 | tracy.faultry@perryhomes.com Come see me at Perry Homes in Sienna, Bee’s Crossing

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SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MAY 2023

NEWS BRIEFS

EDUCATION BRIEFS

News from Fort Bend ISD

HIGHLIGHTS FORT BEND ISD The district’s 2021-22 Texas Academic Performance Report indicated academic performance surpassed state scores, but also an increase in violent and criminal incidents as well as the high school dropout rate. Lisa Coston—Fort Bend ISD’s director of accountability, assessment and compliance—presented the report during a March 27 board meeting. The TAPR compiles State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness scores; attendance and graduation rates; college, career and military readiness; and student and sta demographics gathered throughout the 2021-22 school year. The district outperformed state and regional averages for the approaching, meets and masters levels in grades 3-8 for STAAR scores, but its dropout rate rose from 1% in 2019-20 to 1.6% in 2020-21. Violent and criminal incidents also rose from six in 2020-21 to 27 in 2021-22, according to TAPRs. The Fort Bend ISD board of trustees will meet at 6 p.m. May 15 at 16431 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-634-1000 • www.fortbendisd.com MEETINGS WE COVER

Fort Bend ISD will revisit class rank policies in August FORT BEND ISD The district is considering allowing stu- dents outside the top 10% of their class to view their class rank, as well as revisit its class ranking policy this summer. The Fort Bend ISD board of trustees approved a motion 4-3 during its April 17 meeting to ask Superintendent BY RENEE FARMER REVISITING THE RANKINGS Fort Bend ISD will reevaluate its class rank policies this summer. The board asked for a review of the ranking policy to consider making the following changes: Ranking students’ GPAs against other students’ at the campus their home is zoned to

Fort Bend County considers campaign to challenge broadband internet map

BY DANIEL WEEKS

I do down 50 [mph] freeways,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers joked. Meyers requested the campaign have a social media element, saying he believes it would be easier to communicate the county’s message this way. County Judge KP George indi- cated people would need broad- band access to see the campaign if it was strictly on social media. Fort Bend County previously conducted a feasibility study calling for $36.8 million to improve the county’s broadband infrastructure. George identied broadband improvements as a priority for the county this year. Commissioners moved the item to a closed session to receive legal advice on the potential campaign. The discussion was tabled for future consideration.

Fort Bend County commis- sioners are considering moves to improve county infrastructure for broadband internet, including a possible advertising campaign. On April 25, the county discussed the campaign, which would call on citizens to submit a challenge to the Federal Commu- nications Commission National Broadband Map. Challenges to the map could grant the county eligibility for funds from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. The agenda item for the discussion indicated the county could use billboards, a method that was challenged by some commissioners. “Our message is a lot of information to try to get across to somebody driving 60 [mph] like

Christie Whitbeck to work with the board’s policy commit- tee to recommend amendments to the class rank policy and consider allowing more students to view their rank. Trustees Angie Hanan, Shirley Rose-Gilliam and President Kristen Davison-Malone were opposed. The policy committee was asked to consider allowing more students to view their class rank. If the change is approved, students in the class of 2024 outside of the top 10% of their class would be able to request their class ranking. In December 2019, trustees approved the class rank policy, which ranks students’ GPAs in accordance with the campus their street address is zoned to. Students who attend academies or other programs of choice are not ranked against the school they attend but rather the one they were originally zoned to attend. “I see both sides of the coin. But the bottom line is, I struggle to rank children with other children who they’ve never sat in a single solitary class with,” Hanan said. The policy committee will prioritize reviewing the ranking policy and give the board a recommendation in

Not ranking students at academies or other programs against the schools they attend Allowing students inside the top 10% to see their rankings, but not those outside the top 10%

Former Missouri City employee Millie Holield (left) was honored for her 33 years of service. (Jack Dowling/Community Impact)

Millie Holield honored for years of service

April 17 Trustees have the superintendent and policy committee begin review of class rank policy.

August The policy committee will provide the board of trustees a recommendation on a new policy.

2023-24 school year If approved, the new policy would allow more students to see their class rank.

BY JACK DOWLING

enact cooperative programs. The rst project she worked on was a groundwa- ter reduction mandate from Fort Bend County, she said. Public Works Director Shashi Kumar extolled Holield as a worker with superior dedication. Beyond her service, Mayor Robin Elackatt commended Holield for her character, which he described as humble. “It’s going to be a big change,” Holield said. “But I’m ready.”

The city of Missouri City honored lifetime employee Millie Holield for 33 years of service at its regular City Council meeting April 17. Holield, 71, had served in her most recent position as public utilities coordi- nator for 27 years before retiring. She was originally hired in 1990. Her job as public utilities coordinator included providing lines of communica- tion between municipal utility districts, the city and other entities in order to

SOURCE: FORT BEND ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

August. A policy change would not happen by August, but rather recommendations as to whether the policy should be amended will be given. “It’s on the agenda so that people know that we’re listening and people know that we want to know more about it,” Trustee Rick Garcia said.

SUGAR LAND 3335 HWY 6 S (281) 313-4446 MISSOURI CITY 5418 HWY 6 (281) 403-0400

SUGAR CREEK 13827 Southwest Fwy (281) 491-8628 SIENNA PLANTATION 9034 Sienna Crossing Dr (281) 778-9959

NEW TERRITORY 5720 New Territory Blvd (281) 491-0811

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