Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 4
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Lesley Briones, Commissioner
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Memorandum of Understanding
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Rice University
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request that the County Judge execute an agreement between Harris County and Rice University’s Center for Civic Leadership to initiate a semester long internship with Precinct 4’s Planning Department to investigate economic, public health, and social cohesion impacts related to placemaking in underserved neighborhoods at no cost to Harris County extending from August to December 2026.
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Background and Discussion:
Precinct 4, under the Placemake P4! Program has invested in placemaking interventions in Southwest Houston to improve quality of life. The Rice Center for Civic Leadership is a competitive internship program that seeks to strengthen students’ leadership skills related to public improvement projects. The students will conduct a qualitative and quantitative analysis of placemaking investments detailing outcomes within impacted communities.
Expected Impact:
The partnership will allow Precinct 4 to more fully understand the impacts related to placemaking investments in underserved neighborhoods. This analysis will ensure future investments are effective and efficiently deployed.
Alternative Options: N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
County...
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