The Houston Health Department (HHD) request City Council approval of an ordinance authorizing and approving a contract between the City of Houston and Rice University. The contract term is from July 1, 2018 and shall be effective for three years and automatically renew for a one-year term. The total contract amount is $665,280.00.
Rice University will provide the following services through Dr. Loren Raun on behalf of HHD:
- Evaluate and analyze city environmental data, make recommendations, formulate interventions/remediation plans and determine the need for further assessment.
- Formulate and review environmental policies for HHD around air, soil and water pollution as related to human health.
- Direct childhood lead poisoning prevention programs, as needed.
- Serve as a consultant to the Department Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Directors and Managers in reviewing, analyzing and implementing environmental public health strategies and policies.
Dr. Loren Raun background includes thorough knowledge of the fundamental sciences underlying the practice of public health with an emphasis on environmental health.
MWBE Participation:
Zero-percentage goal document approved by the Office of Business Opportunity.
Pay or Play Program:
The proposed contract requires compliance with the City's 'Pay or Play' ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City contractors. In this case, the contractor has elected to pay into the Contractor Responsibility Fund in compliance with City policy.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2019 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal note is required as stated in the Financial Policy Ord. 2018-390.
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Stephen L. Williams, M.Ed., M.P.A.
Director - Houston Health Department