News and Information 

Read our latest posts on the TMLIRP blog.

Winter Weather Tips

With the anticipated winter weather this week, here are some T.I.P.S. from Loss Prevention to help you prepare.

Upcoming Loss Prevention Training: Supervisor Recruitment, Onboarding, and Leadership (and Much More)

Here’s a list of upcoming loss prevention training. The events calendar has registration details.

New Episode: Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast

Listen to Episode 12: Risk Pool Human Resources Training "Civility in the Workplace" and "Harrassment Training for Supervisors"

This episode explains: (1) training provided by the Pool to address behaviors that cause unhealthy conflict in the workplace; and (2) the importance of harassment training for supervisors. Check out the accompanying STP Article below, as well.

STP Articles: “Sexual Harassment – Texas Legislature Expands Employer Liability”

Federal law sexual harassment claims are nothing new, but the Texas Legislature recently amended state law in ways that could shift more harassment filings to state court. Senate Bill 45 expands the definition of “employer” in the context of sexual harassment claims to “a person who employs one or more employees or acts directly in the interests of an employer in relation to an employee.” The change from 15 employees to “one or more employees” subjects dozens of smaller cities to state law harassment claims. The bill also defines “sexual harassment” as…read more.

Liability Coverage:  Unless you Report, You could come up short

The Pool’s  liability coverage won’t apply to the following activities, unless previously reported: 

• Amusement parks
• Skateboard facilities
• Dams
• Jail or holding facilities
• Nursing homes
• Daycare
• Electric or Gas Utility
• Water or Sewage Treatment Facilities
• Wharves/Boat Storage
• Railroad operations

If your local government has begun operating any of the above facilities in the past year, or plans to do so this year, please schedule an appointment with your Member Services Manager to ensure appropriate coverage. Remember: The failure to report any of these activities could mean coverage won’t apply.

Employee Safety Training: Proven to Prevent Injuries, Save Lives, and Protect Property

The Pool’s latest T.I.P.S. sheet explains how employee orientations, regular safety meetings, and "toolbox" or "tailgate" talks, are proven to prevent injuries, save lives, and protect property.

Member Spotlight

Risk Pool Presents Partnership Award to City of Sugar Land

The purpose of the TMLIRP Partnership Award is to recognize and reinforce member contributions to the community and to the Pool. The award recognizes the efforts of the City of Sugar Land to protect its residents from flooding using state-of-the-art, real-time ponding monitoring and notifications. (“Ponding” is the unwanted accumulation of water typically in flat areas and/or roadways.) 

During rainfall events, different areas of the city may experience different levels of ponding. According to the City, the Integrated Stormwater Management Model (ISWMM) map aims to serve as an informational tool that provides real-time city ponding levels during rainfall events.

The ISWMM system is connected to 28 rain/stream gauges across the City that report real time information that is used to create ponding maps, including street ponding depths. The system gives:

• public access to real-time ponding information;
• the ability to send notifications about ponding, street flooding, and potential street closures;
• assistance in the planning of evacuation routes; and
• assistance in evaluating current drainage infrastructure to more efficiently target drainage improvements.

Check out the video available on the City’s ISWMM web page, where Senior Engineer Manager, Jorge Alba, provides an overview of ISWMM and why it’s such an innovative tool that helps keep the community safe.

Service in Focus

Become R.O.A.D. Ready!

R.O.A.D. Ready is a Risk Pool program designed to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property by raising member awareness of dangers on and near roadways. Check out the eleventh episode of the Risk Pool’s Stronger, Together podcast to learn more!