Legislation Details

File #: 26-5726    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Memorandum of Understanding Status: Passed
File created: 8/28/2026 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 9/8/2026 Final action: 9/8/2026
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.
Attachments: 1. MOU - Rice.pdf

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 RCAType 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.

end

 

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 Strategic Plan Objective: I: Increase access to safe, clean, and enjoyable green space.

Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1):  N/A

Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2):  N/A

Economy Initiative (Goal 3): K2: Partner with community organizations to create new and build upon existing apprenticeship opportunities,

Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.

Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A

Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A

Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:

 

Prior Court Action (if any):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

Location: N/A

Address (if applicable): N/A

Precinct(s): Precinct 4

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

 

 

 

Current Fiscal Year Cost

Annual Fiscal Cost

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

Recurring Expenses

Funding Sources

 

Existing Budget

 

 

 

 

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Total Existing Budget

$

$

$

$

Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Total Additional Budget Request

$

$

$

$

Total Funding Sources

$

$

$

$

Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only)

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

No. of Grant Years

Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item.

$

$

$

 

Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item.

$

$

$

 

Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total)

$

$

$

 

Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s)

 

Current Position Count for Service

-

-

-

-

Additional Positions Request

-

-

-

-

Total Personnel

-

-

-

-

 

County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only)

CAO Reviewer Name and Title

 

CAO Review Completion Date

Click or tap to enter a date.

Anticipated Court Date: 9/8/2026

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item

Contact(s) name, title, department: Reynaldo Guerra, Infrastructure-Chief Officer, Commissioner Precinct 4

Attachments (if applicable): MOU