Contractual Risk Transfer: TML Risk Pool Resources
Automobile and Mobile Equipment Certificates of Coverage
NEWS/UPDATES
Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast Episodes 15a-15e – Special Video Report Series: 2022 Rerates In this special five-episode video/podcast series, Scott Houston interviews Board of Trustees President Randy Criswell, Executive Director Jeff Thompson, and other Risk Pool staff to get their perspective on the major rate drivers and their effect on TML Risk Pool Members’ 2022 rerates.
Hurricane Season is Here, Let the Pool Help You Prepare with Video, Emergency Management Documents, Podcast, and More! Are you prepared for hurricane season? One thing is certain: trying to figure out what you should have done when a storm is on the horizon isn't a good plan. For the 2022 hurricane season, NOAA is forecasting three to six major hurricanes, and Colorado State University now gives Texas a 59 percent chance of a hurricane coming very close to or making landfall this year. The Pool is here to help you prepare. Check out these resources:
TML Risk Pool’s Hurricane Preparedness Resources web page (including “Preparing for Natural Disasters and Emergencies” Handbook and link to Texas Municipal League page with dozens of emergency management example documents (Risk Pool members may wish to download those documents for use in a storm or other emergency)
1. One hour video of “Are You Prepared: Before, During, and After the Storm” presentation.
3.Stronger, Together Podcast Episode 16: Before, During, and After the Storm (15-minute on-demand podcast highlighting top actions to take at each stage)
Texans along the coast may benefit from preparing for the worst through this hurricane season, which extends until November 30. Have questions about coverage or other hurricane related issues? Contact your Member Services Manager. Need assistance during or after a hurricane? Call the Pool’s special hurricane hotline at 512-491-2400 or email at claims@tmlirp.org.
Cities Testify Before Congress on Road Safety/TML Risk Pool is R.O.A.D. Ready Earlier this month, City Council President Elaine Clegg of Boise, Idaho, testified on behalf of the National League of Cities before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The hearing centered around staggering increases in road deaths. Last year, 42,915 Americans died in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
The TML Risk Pool has already taken steps to address the problem from a local government perspective. R.O.A.D. Ready (Recognize the Hazards; Observe People, Processes, and Equipment; Assess the Risk Level; and Determine the Safest Course of Action) is a Risk Pool program designed to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property by raising Member awareness of dangers on and near roadways. The Pool provides participating Members with: (1) specifically designed resources and training to mitigate roadway risks; and (2) promotional materials to show they are R.O.A.D. Ready.
The Pool launched the program in January 2022 and has designated each successive January as R.O.A.D. Ready month. To participate, a Member should: (1) make a commitment to becoming R.O.A.D. Ready by providing internal roadway safety training or using the Pool’s resources to do so; and (2) participating in national roadway, vehicle, or work zone programs. Learn more by visiting www.tmlirp.org and clicking R.O.A.D Ready in the “Risk Management” drop-down menu.
Infrastructure Grants for Small Cities: Safe Streets, Broadband, and More America’s small cities are the fabric of our country, and the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has important programs for small and mid-sized cities. Earlier this year, the White House released a Rural Playbook for small communities as they navigate the many programs in BIL, including information on how to apply for the funds.
As part of the National League of Cities’ (NLC) commitment to support smaller communities, it has created a “starter list” of programs:
The Safe Streets and Roads for All Program supports local safety planning and safety implementation projects, like improving pedestrian or school crossings, updating traffic and street lights, or separating bike lanes.
The Electric Vehicle Charging Community Grant Program begins later this year and provide support for establishing convenient EV charging stations while building an charging network along the federal highway system.
The Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program provides a direct competitive grant opportunity for local governments to expand and extend middle-mile infrastructure to connect unserved and underserved areas.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program should begin later this year and is available to smaller communities that submit an application through each state. It will provide funding for improving transportation infrastructure, adopting and implementing building energy codes, strengthening electric grid policy, and supporting community-driven climate and resilience planning.
*Edited version reprinted with permission from the National League of Cities.
Texas Big City Mayors Request Special Session on Gun Reform The Big City Mayors, a bipartisan group of Texas’ major cities, issued a statement on Tuesday calling for state leadership to take immediate action to prevent mass shootings in Texas. The mayors of Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Houston, Laredo, Plano, San Antonio, and Sugar Land signed a letter asking Governor Abbott to call a special session centered on gun reform. The mayors specifically request action on the following items:
1. Require universal background checks for gun purchases; 2. Increase the age to purchase assault weapons in Texas to 21; 3. Pass Red Flag laws to identify threats before shootings; 4. Significant increase in mental health support funding; and 5. Train and properly resource school safety officers.
U.S. Supreme Court: Police Officers not Liable for Failing to Mirandize
In Vega v. Tekoh, the U.S. Supreme Court held 6-3 that police officers can’t be sued for money damages for failing to recite Miranda rights. Miranda rights can be slightly different based on the jurisdiction, but they are essentially what police officers tell a suspect prior to questioning. Read more here.
The Board, acting on behalf of the Members, recently approved several changes to the Cyber Coverage Document. Please contact your Member Services Manager for additional information.
Upcoming Loss Prevention Training: Here’s a list of upcoming loss prevention training. The events calendar has registration details.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Verbal De-Escalation: Kind Words Keep the Peace
Chief of Security Glen Reed, with the Harris County Appraisal District, is teaching a course called “Surviving Verbal Conflict.” The course trains staff to handle the challenges of dealing with the public. Manuel Trejo, the loss prevention representative for HCAD, recently observed one of Mr. Reed’s classes in light of the state mandate of verbal de-escalation training for all police and first responders, and he was very impressed with the course. Read more here.
SERVICE IN FOCUS
Contractual Risk Transfer: TML Risk Pool Resources A poorly-drafted contract can create extensive liability for your entity. The TML Risk Pool has several resources to help you with contracts basics: Episode 13 of the Pool’s “Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast” is titled “Contractual Risk Transfer” and explains: (1) the importance of shifting risk to the appropriate parties to a contract; and (2) the essential provisions that should be included in any major or high-exposure contract. STP episodes are short and informative, with short being the key – no episode is longer than 15 minutes.
In the “Further Information” links below the podcasts, you’ll find additional resources, including:
Automobile and Mobile Equipment Certificates of Coverage
Does your entity lease or finance vehicles or mobile equipment? If so, the lessor will always require a certificate of coverage and loss payee endorsements. The Pool’s goal is to provide certificates as quickly as possible. To do that, your underwriter needs the following information: (1) make; (2) model; (3) year; (4) serial number or vin; and (5) the value, including all modifications. Also, when you receive your entity’s rerate document, please review which automobiles/equipment you no longer lease or finance and provide that information to your underwriter.
