Midwest Section Bylaws Election

Thanks to everyone that voted in the election to review the bylaws for the Section. The revised bylaws were approved by a unanimous vote. A copy is available here.

If you have any questions about the bylaws, please email Clayton Husband, AICP or call 817-459-6668.

2011 Texas APA Awards Deadline Extended

For those communities seeking to nominate plans, projects and ordinances for consideration of the 2011 Texas APA Awards the deadline for submittal has been extended to July 30, 2011. The original deadline published with the nomination form was last week, however the State website now places the date at the end of this week. Remember to submit 10 copies of your nomination packet. Good Luck!

Networking Luncheon - Speaking Strategies for Influencing Audiences

Please join us as we welcome Michael Putnam from the University of Texas, Arlington, School of Communication for a networking lunch presentation to learn tips and strategies for more effective communication. In order to reach our audience we have to be conscious of how we organize our message, careful of the selection of the kind of content or substance we build into it, and make it come alive with effective verbal and nonverbal delivery skills. Reasoning Strategies, Persuasive Appeals, and Delivery Techniques will be discussed and are tools than can help us present more effectively to the public, various boards and committees, and elected officials.

Networking Lunch Flyer

When: Friday, July 29, 2011 - 11:30am Registration, Noon to 1pm presentation.

Where: Intermodal Transportation Center, 1001 Jones St. Downtown Fort Worth

Cost: $15 APA Members - $20 nonmembers (includes box lunch)

RSVP: Karla Weaver at kweaver@nctcog.org or 817-608-2376

AICP: CM Credits have been requested.

Midwest Section Texas APA Board Meeting

A Board Meeting of the Midwest Section - Texas APA will be held on Tuesday July 26th at 4:00pm. The meeting will be held at Panera Bread, 1409 N Collins St, Arlington TX. For more information contact Director, Amanda Wilson, AICP

Open Position - Transportation Planner I/II FTA Program Administration

The Transportation Department of the North Central Texas Council of Governments is seeking a qualified individual to assist the Regional Transit Coordination and Operations Team in administering, managing, and overseeing Federal Transit Administration programs, including the Urbanized Area Formula Program, Job Access/Reverse Commute Program, and New Freedom Program. These programs are complex due to the type and number of projects funded, the multitude of customers served, coordination of a variety of transit needs, and the involvement of multiple jurisdictions.

This position will provide assistance throughout the life cycle of these programs and projects, from grant approval through project implementation leading to grant closeout. This individual will assist in the review, analysis, and evaluation of the overall direction and effectiveness of project and program oversight. Applicants wishing to be considered for this position should apply online. To be considered for any other NCTCOG position that may currently be open, applicants need to apply online separately for those postings. All submittals should include a cover letter summarizing work experience, as well as a current resume.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in analytical, quantitative methods
• At least one year of related experience
• Previous experience with Federal Transit Administration programs desired

Salary: Starting at $42,077.00 per year

Job Location: Arlington, TX, US

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Website: NCTCOG Job Application

Open Position - Transportation Planner I/II Sustainable Development

The Transportation Department of the North Central Texas Council of Governments is increasing its staff and currently seeking a Transportation Planner I or II in Sustainable Development, specifically in the areas of Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordination and Transit-Oriented Development Planning.

This position will conduct activities related to multi-modal corridor studies, bicycle/pedestrian studies, parking analysis, traffic calming, rail and tranist project, Context Sensitive Design, land-use redevelopment projects, urban design/landscaping, and Complete Streets. Applicants wishing to be considered for this position should apply online. All submittals should include a cover letter summarizing work experience, as well as a current resume.

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in analytical, quantitative methods such as urban/transportation planning, design or landscape architecture or other related field of study.
• At least one year of related experience.
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and developing layers and shapefiles.
• Experience working with public and elected officials desired.

Salary: Starting at $39,324 or $43,077 per year.

Job Location: Arlington, TX

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Website: NCTCOG Job Application

Open Position - Transit System Planner - Fort Worth Transportation Authority

The T, a public transportation system, is currently seeking a Transit System Planner to perform a variety of complex transit planning development activities under the general supervision of the Director of Planning. Incumbent will assist or lead in the development of transit-related research and planning studies including the planning of capital rail and bus transit projects. Incumbent will participate in other comprehensive, mid-and long-range regional transit planning projects such as Transit Oriented Development (TOD) planning, and assist in the implementation of fixed-route bus service changes. Must be able to demonstrate immediate proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Word, ArcView, and project management.

The successful candidate must possess a Bachelor's Degree in Urban/City & Regional Planning, Geography, Business, or a closely related field. Masters degree, AICP and/or PMP a plus. Applicant must have five + years experience in transit planning and/or in urban or city planning with experience managing the planning of complex capital projects.

Starting salary range: $54,019 - $64,524. Benefits include medical, dental, a 457b plan with 3-6% company contribution, tuition reimbursement program, scholarship program for employees and their dependents, an onsite wellness center, employer paid life insurance, long term care, and long term disability. THIS POSITION WILL CLOSE ON JULY 25, 2011.

Applicants must apply online at http://www.the-t.com/ . You must have an email address to apply online. A kiosk in Human Resources is available Monday - Friday from 8:30pm-4:00pm in Human Resources at the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, 1600 East Lancaster, Fort Worth, TX 76102.

CNU NTX Event: The Architecture of Community

How often do citizens, city officials, and other decision-makers find confusion instead of clarity when discussing urban design? How can we attempt to help guide neighborhoods, towns, and cities and overcome the failures of the past, address current issues, and anticipate the needs of the future when we lack of a common language on urban design?

CNU North Texas along with USGBC, The Dallas Center for Architecture, ULI, and The Dallas Architecture Forum presents two lectures by Dhiru Thadani and Anne Ricker followed by a panel discussion on creating a sense of community through the built environment.

July 28, 2011 from 1p-5p at the Dallas Center for Architecture

Registation is $75 at www.cnuntx.org

Continuing Education Credit available for USGBC, CNU, AIA, and AICP members

Dhiru Thadani

Architect, urban designer, and author Dhiru Thadani will discuss and illustrate solutions found in the urban paradigm of the built environment to prescriptively solve several current global crises. He will argue the need for a common design language, which is the subject of his book, The Language of Towns & Cities: A Visual Dictionary -- Book signing to follow event.

Anne Ricker

Anne Ricker is a member and speaker for the Urban Land Institute, International Downtown Association and American Planning Association. With extensive experience in real estate market analysis, urban redevelopment and vision building for public and private sector clients, Anne focuses on assisting communities and the investors within them by preparing strategies for development and redevelopment and identifying partner roles and resources. Anne is a founding principal with consulting firm Ricker Cunningham.

Open Position - Planning Project Manager I (#3234) - City of Arlington

THIS POSITION WILL CLOSE ON JULY 24, 2011

$4,645 - $5,806 per month depending on experience. Full-Time position available - M-F 8am to 5pm.

Under general direction, leads and manages the activities of planning teams responsible for performing planning assignments such as long-range plans and studies and current planning activities, including preparing and presenting staff reports, ordinance revisions and providing technical planning and zoning assistance to the public and city departments. Bachelor's Degree in urban and regional planning, architecture, or related fields plus two (2) years related experience. Prefer a Master's Degree in related field. AICP preferred. Must successfully complete a pre-employment screen including criminal background check.

For more information and to apply please visit www.arlingtontx.gov The City of Arlington is proud to be EOE.

2012 Conference Logo Designs Wanted

The 2012 Texas APA Conference Committee is seeking your ideas and submissions for the design of the logo for the 2012 Texas APA Conference (to be held in downtown Fort Worth).

The theme for the conference is "The New Frontier", generally focusing on the concept of "Texas Then & Now" as it relates to planning. The conference logo will be used on a variety of materials, from the conference program and banners to session signage, shirts and giveaway items. The files available to the right have some sample logos from previous conferences.

Some quick parameters for designing the logo:

Needs to be scalable and recognizable at different scales for printing/use on giveaways and materials.

Needs to be usable in b/w or two-color printing as well as four color printing (would prefer no gradient fills).

Needs to be relevant to Fort Worth area - planning as well as thematic.

If you have further questions or want to submit a logo design for consideration, please contact Stephen Cook at scook@eulesstx.gov or Lyndsay Mitchell at lyndsay.mitchell@arlingtontx.gov.