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With a background as diverse as the state of Texas, new Tomball city planner Rebeca Guerra is settling into her new office, in a new state.

Guerra was hired by Tomball after she spent several years as a senior planner in the Orlando, Fla. area, serving the county government and a area population of 1.2 million people.

She has an associate degree in journalism, a bachelor’s in international affairs and a graduate degree in urban and regional planning. She is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners, certified in the crime prevention through environmental design program and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional.

“I’ve always wanted to live in Texas,” Guerra said. “I love the independent spirit that Texas personifies.”

Guerra said that the draw of Texas ultimately led her to the opening in Tomball. She immediately liked what she saw and decided to pack up and head west.

“I saw a charming downtown area with a great council that had a comprehensive plan for the entire city,” she said. “I have a chance to get right into the middle of it.”

Guerra stated that she has immediate goals she is working on, such as the ongoing Downtown Specific Plan project and a re-working of the city’s sign ordinance.

Guerra said that the city is working hard on getting a final version of the Downtown Specific Plan completed before the end of the fiscal year.

In the 2012-13 fiscal year, Guerra said she has four key areas she would like to focus on. She is looking at updating the zoning ordinances, rules governing landscaping, parking requirements for businesses and completing a connecting sidewalk pattern around the Medical Complex area.

“Medical Complex is a wonderful jewel that Tomball has,” she said. “We need to work very hard to make it all it can be.”

Guerra said it hasn’t taken much time for her or her pets to get settled into the area.

“This is an incredibly friendly town and everyone at the city including (City Manager George Shackelford), Mayor (Gretchen) Fagan and city council have all been a wonderful help,” Guerra said.

While this is her first position as the head of a planning department, Guerra believes that her background and experiences as a senior planner have readied her for the position.

“I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities I have here,” she said. “Tomball is ready to blossom and I am just blessed to be here.”

Maintaining adequate staffing levels is tough for any public entity, but it has been extremely hard on the Tomball Fire Department (TFD). With a booming population comes increased traffic, more accidents and more calls for service.

“It’s a balancing act,” Tomball Fire Chief Randy Parr said.

That’s why when word came of a federal grant program that would enable the department to hire more firefighters, Parr jumped at the chance to apply. The Tomball City Council gave Parr permission to apply for the grant and he recently heard from FEMA that their grant proposal was accepted.

A grant for a little more than $1.2 million spread out over two years, will enable Parr to hire nine fulltime firefighters.

“This is truly a game changer for the Tomball Fire Department,” he said. “It will provide continuity in our operations and groups of firefighters will be able to work together continuously.”

The department has always been able to maintain a high rating, even in the face of staffing shortages, Parr said, but the constant struggle to move parts and people around hasn’t been easy.

“The issue has been to have enough consistent staffing to keep two fire stations open for 24 hours,” he said. “In order to do that, we have to have two apparatuses staffed with a minimum of three people.”

Parr said that two out of every three days, station two on Holderreith Road is closed at night, due to understaffing.

“In order to mitigate that we have to have four full-time firefighters,” he said. “This will improve the safety of the community and the safety of our firefighters.”

The grant will be all of the salary and benefits for the nine firefighters, which Parr said will consist of three officers, three driver/operators and three firefighters. A cutback of part-time firefighter hours and continued growth of city and emergency service district revenue streams, will go towards ensuring the department will be able to keep the new firefighters after the two-year grant period. Parr said that he, Tomball City Manager George Shackelford and the Tomball City Council will work together over the next year to come up with a plan.

“We still continue to anticipate growth in revenues,” Parr said.

Parr said that once news arrived that TFD was being awarded the grant, he knew the community had won.

“We will now be able to provide our good, consistent service for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

The 40^th annual Tomball Night was a huge success, as it drew thousands out to the streets of Tomball. The annual celebration and shopping extravaganza is organized by the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce.

Photos by Caleb Harris

The Tomball City Council passed the proposed 2012-13 budget 3-2, during a regular session Aug. 6. Council members Derek Townsend and Mark Stoll voted no on the proposed budget.

City Manager George Shackelford explained the budget process and how staff members came up with the estimates.

“Obviously this year we are collecting more in sales tax revenue than we projected, but things happen so we wanted to be conservative with our estimates,” he said.

The budget process includes three major funds. The general fund provides for day-to-day operations of the city and its departments, the enterprise funds are revenues collected for water, sewer and gas services, while the debt service fund is the fund that pays off city debt like bonds.

The city is expecting about $16.3 million in revenues for the general fund and projects to spend about $15.5 million of that next fiscal year. Thos funds include about $20,000 designed to send all council members and some members of the Sister City organization to Telgte, Germany, for the sister city’s anniversary celebration. Townsend and Stoll took issue with that.

“I feel that council needs to reconsider this,” Stoll said. “The Tomball Sister City Organization is a separate organization which does not fall under the City of Tomball’s control. They do not need the taxpayer’s assistance (to send their members to Germany).”

Stoll went on to say that he would support the city paying the airfare for the mayor and city manager, so that they can represent Tomball at the event.

“Keep in mind that the council passed a 36 percent tax increase on taxpayers last year,” Stoll added. “How do you think this expense is being taken in their homes?”

Townsend agreed.

“I received several phone calls and I’ve got to agree with Councilman Stoll,” he said.

Both Townsend and Stoll said they could not approve of the budget with that expense in it.

In other business, the council approved spending $36,000 to purchase several pieces of property along Elm Street and also named Grady Martin, president of the Tomball Sister City Organization, as the 2012 Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year.

Martin was shocked by the announcement.

“Oh wow, this is a great honor, thank you so much,” he said.

Council also approved expenditures for several yearly events, including $12,000 in hotel-motel tax funds for the second annual Bugs, Brew and Barbeque event, $60,000 from the same fund for the annual Tomball German Christmas and the Tomball German Heritage festivals.

Council also approved a bid from TJ&T Enterprises of a little more than $210,000 to improve concrete streets within the city.

Finally council approved a two-year grant that will enable the fire department to hire nine more full-time firefighters.

There will be a final public hearing and vote on next year's budget, at the Aug. 20 meeting.

Tomball’s new marketing director Mike Baxter has made a splash in his first year, guiding the city to eight top awards at the recent Texas Festivals and Events Association’s (TFEA) annual conference.

Tomball joined the group upon Baxter’s arrival.

“There were 375 entrants in several categories and we entered eight of them,” Baxter said. ‘We won seven of them.”

Baxter said the city entered in categories for events with a budget of $75,000 or less and took home the top spot in Best New Event for the Rails & Tails Mudbug Festival, Best New Mascot for Rusty Rails, Best Social Media for the city’s Facebook page, Best Event T-shirt for Rails & Tails, Best Promotional Poster for Rails & Tails, Best Event Hat for Bugs, Brew and Barbeque and Best Event Button also for Rails & Tails.

“We accomplished so much in this first year,” Baxter said. “For a first timer to come and do this is remarkable.”

Baxter, whose previous background was in entertainment and amusement parks, said he took the approach to treat marketing Tomball like he was starting up a new amusement park.

“From the grassroots marketing to the mascot, it’s all something that an amusement park would do and obviously that approach has paid off,” he said. “There is so much buzz about Tomball now. It’s not just that town you drive through on the way to the Renassaince Festival.”

Baxter said that buzz is what will make tourism a valuable entity to the city.

“People now know that there’s so much more here than they thought,” he said. “We have special events, we have festivals, we have concerts, we have live music, there are so many good restaurants in town and more on the way --- this is just the right time for the right place.”

“It’s been a fun year,” he said. “It’s all coming together now.”

Tomball City Councilman Mark Stoll has been on a year-long quest to receive answers about a water fee that he claims does not benefit residents of Tomball.

Stoll said that the fees levied by the North Harris County Regional Water Authority have totaled up to $7 million paid by Tomball residents in the past 10-plus years. The authority was created to help local water districts convert from groundwater usage to surface water usage per state law. Residents now pay $1.75 per 1,000 gallons of water pumped.

Stoll said his primary concern is that the regional authority has no plans to convert Tomball to surface water usage in the next two decades.

“When are the city and its residents going to get something from this investment?” Stoll said. “It looks like we are just helping other areas develop.”

Stoll and Councilman Field Hudgens have been reaching out to state legislators about this issue for awhile now. Stoll recently asked his fellow council members to issue a resolution stating the city’s opposition to the fee and present it to legislators.

That effort fell short at a recent council meeting, but they all agreed to set up a committee that will investigate the issue further and consider whether the council should formally oppose the fee.

Council appointed Stoll and Hudgens to the committee, along with residents Barbara Tague and Roy Lackey. They were chosen because of their experience with similar issues.

Stoll said that the fee has concerned him since he began seeing it on his water bill. He said the fee is assessed because the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District passed a law mandating the area convert to surface water to prevent subsidence. Subsidence occurs when groundwater levels get so low that the ground begins to sink.

“I’m not closed-minded about this issue and the committee will now hopefully give me a chance to ask specific questions and learn more,” Stoll said. “I’m not convinced that subsidence is an issue affecting our area, but I may find out otherwise.”

Stoll said there is no timetable for the committee to present its findings and opinions back to council. The committee will set up its agenda and functions at its first meeting Sept. 5.

The committee is not binding and does not fall under the regulations of a government body, but Stoll said he encourages the public to attend. The first meeting will start at 6 p.m. in the conference room at Tomball City Hall.

While the summer is winding down, Tomball is preparing for a second round of festivals and events this fall.

First up is the second annual Bugs, Brew and Barbeque event at the Tomball Depot, Sept. 29.

“It’s the first of our second annual events,” Tomball Marketing Director Mike Baxter said.

Admission is free.

Baxter said that more than 75 classic Volkswagen “bugs” will be on hand, courtesy of the North Houston Volkswagen Club.

“Beetles, vans, Ghias and dune buggies will all be there,” he said.

Attendance at last year’s event was just under 1,900. Baxter hopes to increase that this year.

New this year is a partnership with Spec’s which has allowed Baxter to bring in a wider variety of Texas craft beer to the event. More than 30 varieties will be available including Southern Star, St. Arnold, Shiner, Real Ale, Alamo and Rahr & Sons. Cisco’s Salsa Company will be serving the beer.

“Working with Spec’s opened up a wider selection of Texas craft beers this year,” he said.

Local barbeque favorite the Original Rib Tickler, as well as a new Tomball Dickey’s location will be among the local barbeque vendors. Pulled pork, brisket, sausage and more will all be available, Baxter said.

There will also be a kids area and vendors selling everything from jewelry to pantry foods.

“We look at vendors that are applicable to each event rather than open it up to anyone,” Baxter said.

Souvenir mugs will also be for sale.

The event, which runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., will also feature three live bands. A performance from Credence Clearwater Revival tribute band Unfortunate Sons, followed by classic rockers The Bottle Rockers, while honky tonk favorite Jeff Woolsey and the Dancehall Kings will round out the entertainment.

“Folks can come out and enjoy the whole day without paying for anything but their brews and barbeque,” Baxter said.

Baxter said the city’s goal during the new festival season is to create a mix of events that people can associate with Tomball.

“We are trying to offer things and events that are unique and people can’t find easily elsewhere,” he said.

For more information visit www.ci.tomball.tx.us or call 281-351-5484.

The sound made famous by artists like Bill Monroe and Ricky Skaggs will fill the air of Tomball Oct. 27, as the city hosts its first ever Tomball Bluegrass Festival at the Tomball Depot.

The event, which will feature four bands, has been drawing a lot of interest, according to Tomball Marketing Director Mike Baxter.

"We've been getting a lot of phone calls and it's getting a lot of interest," he said.

Baxter said he came up with idea after the successful honky tonk festival last year.

"That is the great thing about our events," he said. "Instead of a country music festival, we have been able to do events that are more defined, like this and the honky tonk festival."

Headlining the event are Darin and Brook Aldridge, the Sweethearts of Bluegrass. They were voted the 2011 "Emerging Artists" award by the International Bluegrass Music Association, while also winning the gospel group, album and Song of the Year awards from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music.

Wood & Wire, a bluegrass group from Austin, will bring a unique mix of Americana and swing. Singing originals and traditional Bluegrass favorites, Baxter said the group peppers their songs with funky acoustic jams and instrumentals.

Local favorites TayHoss will also perform, bringing with them a regional style with touches of country, blues and mountain traditional.

A fourth band, the Soundcheck Band, will open the show, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Baxter said the event will also feature a jam tent, which will feature several Bluegrass artists throughout the day in traditional and fun jam sessions.

Food and beverages will be available, along with vendors, kids activities and games.

Baxter said he hopes to draw around 1,500 people for the inaugural event.

"It all depends on the weather, but from the forecasts right now it looks like it's shaping up to be beautiful," he said.

Forecasts as of press time show sunny skies and a high temperature of 80.

Admission and parking are free for the event. The music starts at 11:30 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m.

For more information call 281-351-5484 or visit www.facebook.com/TomballTexanForFun.

The City of Tomball recently added land to its extraterritorial jurisdiction, which is currently being purchased by Baker Hughes, on the northeast corner of FM 2978 and FM 2920.

The land, once developed, will include a new 72,445 square-foot classroom building, a 36,000 square-foot workshop, a 16,730 square-foot lab and two training oil rigs.

The $50-plus million project will be Baker Hughes Western Hemisphere Education Center once complete. The company has a similar site in the eastern hemisphere located in Dubai, India.

The Tomball Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) is also in the middle of the project, as it will contribute a little more than $900,000 towards the cost of the projects infrastructure.

TEDC executive director Kelly Violette said she is confident that the project will create new jobs, new growth and lots of additional sales and property tax revenue.

The project is designed to help with training and education of Baker Hughes personnel and customers.

Officials said that the center will generate around 66,000 trainees per year, who will use more than 50,000 hotel room nights each year. The city estimates that the new facility will create 50 new jobs, as well as nearly 30 indirect jobs.

Officials are estimating more than an $8 million dollar benefit to the city over a 10-year period, with many of those dollars going into the hotel/motel fund, which is used to put on various events in the city and to promote Tomball as a tourist and business destination.

Construction on the site is expected to begin later this year or early 2013. Baker Hughes is now negotiating to buy the land and expects construction to be completed with a year of the start of construction.

Once the purchase of the land is completed, Baker Hughes will submit an application for annexation. Once that is complete the permitting process will begin, according to city officials.

The Tomball City Council took a large step towards bringing a major tourist entity to the city, when it voted to approve an agreement with the Houston Railroad Museum on it's relocation to Tomball.

"They are looking for a new home," said Tomball councilman Field Hudgens. "We have the space available and it makes sense for the two to merge together considering our history."

The Memorandum of Understanding is the first step in a process to bring the museum to Tomball. The agreement states that the museum would be located on the northeast side of the railroad tracks near the Tomball baseball fields.

Hudgens said the museum is a perfect fit for the city.

"It's a wonderful idea," he said. "It's a perfect match with Tomball's roots being set with the railroad."

The museum, which is run by the Gulf Coast Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, has been closed for the entirety of 2012 while it searched for a new home. The museum's inventory includes several locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars and cabooses. There are also many railway artifacts.

The museum also provides educational tours and a scholarship to the National Park Service's Rail Camp in Scranton, Pa.

In other business the council approved a new sign ordinance which looks to eliminate the roadways of advertisements known as bandit signs, as well as regulate the size and scope of other signs within the city.

The next city council meeting will be Nov. 18.