[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;]
[00:00:05]
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WE PRAY THIS IN JESUS NAME.
WE'LL NOW DO THE PLEDGES TO THE FLAGS.
STARTING WITH THE AMERICAN FLAG.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF TH STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION U GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: NOW WE'LL GO TO OUR TEXAS FLAG.
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
I DECLARE THAT THIS MEETING WAS POSTED ADVANCE INSIDE THE TOWNSHIP
[2. Call meeting to order;]
BOUNDARIES AT THIS OFFICE BUILDING AND ADDITION POSTED ONLINE.THIS MEETING IS BEING HELD VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH DECLARATIONS MADE BY TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT, WHICH TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF THE OPENING MEETINGS ACT TO HELP REDUCE POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19.
WE RECORD AT LEAST FOUR BOARD MEMBERS IN I'LL TAKE ROLL.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: DIRECTOR MILNER?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: DIRECTOR NELSON?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: DIRECTOR RIESER?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: DIRECTOR SNYDER?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WE'RE PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR.
[3. Receive, consider and act upon adoption of the meeting agenda;]
I NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[4. Public comment;* ]
WE'LL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.PUBLIC COMMENT IS ALSO BEING HELD VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE.
THIS SAY LOWED BASED ON THE ORDERS OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS OPENINGS MEETING ACT BY GOVERNOR ABBOTT.
A DIAL-IN NUMBER WAS PROVIDED.
ALL OF THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT WE ASK THAT YOU KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO AROUND THREE MINUTES OR LESS.
IN ORDER FOR US TO GET ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO COMMENT IN.
TO ALLOW US TIME TO TAKE ON THE BUSINE TOWNSHIP.
WE'LL START WITH THE ORDER RECEIVED.
WE HAVE QUITE A FEW INDIVIDUALS IN THE QUEUE.
SO IF YOU ARE TOUCHING ON TOPICS THAT ARE TOUCHED ON, IF THERE IS A WAY YOU CAN CONDENSE YOUR OWN DOWN SO WE DON'T END UP WITH A WHOLE LOT OF TIME.
WE HAVE OTHER AGENDA ITEMS WE NEED TO ADDRESS.
WE'LL START WITH THE FIRST CALLER.
IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND WHAT P WOODLANDS YOU LIVE IN, I WILL TRANSCRIBE LEDGER.
WE'LL GO TO THE SECOND CALLER.
IF YOU CAN SAY YOUR NAME AND THE PART OF THE WOODLANDS YOU ARE FROM.
SO THIS MAY NOT BE THE APPROPRIATE WAY.
WE SERVICE A LOT OF THE WOODLANDS.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: IT'S PUBLIC COMMENT.
SO WE REALLY DON'T -- >> PERFECT.
I'LL SET MY TIMER AND I WILL BE BRIEF.
I HOPE THAT I AM AT THE RIGHT PLACE WITH AUDIENCE.
SO, BASICALLY, I'M CHASISTY, CO-OWNER OF BLAZE AND BEN.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNIT TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO QUICKLY EDUCATE YOU ON WHO I AM AND WHAT WE DO.
WE ARE A VETERAN-OWNED AND OPERATED SERVICE.
WE COME TO THE HOMES IN THE WOODLANDS A SURROUNDING AREAS TO CLEAN
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AND SANITIZE TRASH CANS.WE COME AFTER THE TRASH HAS BEEN PICKED UP.
WE HAVE A TRUCK THAT PRESSURE WASHES THE CANS, USE 190-DEGREE WATER, WE USE LESS NORMAL PEOPLE WOULD WASHING THEIR CANS.
WE ARE ECO-FRIENDLY, PET-FRIENDLY.
SO THERE ARE REALLY A LOT OF BENEFITS TO USE OUR SERVICE.
I'M SURE YOU ARE WONDERING WHY I'M HERE TODAY, IT'S NOT JUST TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY SERVICE.
BUT THIS IS A FAIRLY NEW CONCEPT AND PEOPLE ARE NOT EDUCATED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF WHY A CLEAN TRASH CAN IS IMPORTANT.
AND WITH THE PANDEMIC, WE HAVE NOTICED THA BUSINESS IS EXPLODING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO REALIZE AND CARE THAT THEIR TRASH CANS ARE FULL OF GERMS. THERE ARE 4 MILLION DIFFERENT GERMS IN T CANS WHEN TOILETS JUST HAVE 40,000.
PRICING IS LESS THAN $10 A MONTH.
AND OUR SERVICE COULD REALLY USE SOME HELP IN EDUCATING THE PEOPLE ON WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO CLEAN THEIR TRASH CANS AND THE SERV WE PROVIDE.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE TO YOU IS MAYBE A WAY TO WORK TOGETHER TO WHERE WE COULD HELP YOU IN THE WOODLANDS GENERATE REVENUE.
AND ALSO TO SEE IF MAYBE A FUTURE ART TOWNSHIP PAGE TO HELP US RAISE AWARENESS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT OUR EXISTS.
WE WOULD LOVE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES WITH YOU.
AND JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE A SMALL BUSINESS MAKING A REALLY BIG DIFFERENCE, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC.
IF YOU CAN ALSO STATE YOUR NAME AND P WOODLANDS THAT YOU'RE FROM.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THE PHONE NUMBER 9244.
I LOST THE ELECTION AGAINST SHELLEY SEKULA-GIBBS LAST NOVEMBER.
I'M CALLING WITH THE PROCLAMATI DIVERSITY WHICH DR. ANN SNYDER MENTIONED.
AND DR. SEKULA-GIBBS HAD A PROBLEM WITH ELIMINATING LGBTQ.
I AM A RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS FOR 22 YEARS.
I HAVE SEEN THIS COMMUNITY GROW.
AND BECOME THE SECOND BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN COUNTRY.
THIS WAS NOT AN OVERNIGHT ACHIEVEMENT.
WE ALL, WE ALL HAVE WORKED HARD OVER THE YEARS TO FULFILL THE DREAM.
THE DREAM VISION OF OUR FOUNDER GEORGE MITCHELL.
A PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY, AND LEARN.
WE CANNOT LET A NEWCOMER WITH A LIMITED PRIMITIVE VIEWS SPOIL THIS COMMUNITY.
IF THIS IS HER VISION OF MAKING WOODLANDS WONDERFUL, THEN SHE NEEDS TO STEP DOWN.
AS SHE HAS TAKEN AN OATH OF OFFICE TO SERVE ALL IN THE COMMUNITY.
SHE CANNOT DISCRIMINATE LGBTQ FROM THE DI PROCLAMATION.
CAN I ASK HER WHAT IS HER VISION OF DIVERSITY? WHAT DOES SHE PLAN TO DO TO PROMOTE THIS? IN SERVICE REPRESENTING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
SHE IS ALLOWING AND PROMOTING THE VIEWS O FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL.
A PRIVATE GROUP WHO BELIEVES THAT MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY DOES NOT DESERVE EQUAL TREATMENT.
IT IS HIGH TIME THAT THE TOWNSHIP CHAIRMAN GORDY BUNCH, AND ALL YOUR SUPPORTERS, THE DIRECTORS SPEAK UP AND ASK FOR HER RESIGNATION INSTEAD OF ALLOWING HER TO PROMOTING HER OWN AGENDA.
WE CANNOT ALLOW SELFISH MOTIVES, PERSONAL AGENDAS TO DICTATE THE POLICY DECISIONS IN THE WOODLANDS.
WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE, ACCEPT AND LOVE ALL MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ ARE AMONGST THE HIGHEST TO COMMIT SUICIDE.
AND TELLING THE INDIVIDUALS THEY ARE NOT WELCOME WILL NOT BRING THE SUICIDE RATES DOWN.
THE SUPREME COURT FILED 6-3 JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF LGBTQ.
EVEN THE POPE OPENLY SUPPORTED THE LGBTQ RIGHTS.
NOW IS THE TIME TO COME TOGETHER TO ACCEPT ALL.
I WANT EVERYBODY IN THE WOODLANDS TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.
[00:10:05]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS AND I HAVE BEEN FOR QUITE A NUMBER OF YEARS.
AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE CALLED IN TO ONE OF THESE MEETINGS BECAUSE I FELT VERY STRONGLY WHEN I READ THE HOMO STATEMENT OF SHELLEY SEKULA-GIBBS.
AND YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT HER STATEMENT S ALLOWED TO STAND.
THE WOODLANDS IS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY IN ETHNICITY, ORIENTATION AND IN FAITH.
AND I BELIEVE THAT SHE SHOULD RECANT HER OR STEP DOWN BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT REPRESENT ALL THE CITIZENS OF THE WOODLANDS.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT SHE REPRESENTS CITIZENS THAT FIT WITHIN HER VIEW OF HER RELIGION.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.
I'M A RESIDENT OF GROGAN'S POINT.
I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND ONE OF MY CHILDRE TRANSGENDER.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY ON DIRECTOR SHELLEY SEKULA-GIBBS'S RECENT COMMENTS AS READ BY DIRECTOR SNYDER LAST WEEK.
ALL TOWNSHIP DIRECTORS MUST ACT AS PROTECTIVE AGENTS COMMITTED TO THE SAFETY AND THE WELL-BEING OF ALL THEY SERVE, INCLUDING THOSE WHO IDENTIFY AS THE MEMBERS OF THE LGBT I.A.
THE EXPRESSION OF TRANSGENDER IDENTITY O OTHER FORM OF THE GENDER EXPANSIVE BEHAVIOR HEALTHY, APPROPRIATE, AND TYPICAL ASPECT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.
THERE IT'S IRRELEVANT WHETHER A PERSON'S TO ANOTHER GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION IS BASED ON SINCERELY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
AS DIRECTORS AND THE LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY YOU MUST BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ALL THE CONCERNS FACING EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND THE FRONT PAGE OF THE WEBSITE PROCLAIMS ALL MEANS ALL.
CREATING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FREE OF THE RACIAL AND GENDER BIAS IS THAT IS WELCOMING OF ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
AND WILL MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN COUNTLESS PEOPLE'S LIVES.
ATTITUDES HELD BY DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS NEGATIVELY AFFECTS EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY.
NOT ONLY THOSE WHO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS LGBT.
EMBRACING THE PROCLAMATION HOW IT IS WRITT ENTIRETY ENCOURAGES GREATER ACCEPTANCE OF THE DIVERSITY AND DISCOURAGES JUDGMENTS ABOUT PEOPLE BASED ON FACTORS LIKE SEXUALITY, GENDER, FAMILY STRUCTURE, ETHNICITY AND RELIGION.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW ONE CAN IGNORE RECENT SUPREME COURT RULINGS, PUBLIC OPINION AND OVERWHELMING SCIENTIF EVIDENCE, WHICH CONTINUALLY PROVED THAT THE AFFIRMATION OF ONE'S GENDER, IDENTITY COUPLED WITH THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT CAN BE A LIFE OR DEATH.
RECENT STUDY FROM THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, OCTOBER CONDUCTED A STUDY ON TRANSGENDER ADOLESCENT SUICIDE BEHAVIOR.
THE STUDY FOUND THAT TRANSGENDER ADOLESCENT WHOSE GENDER IDENTITY IS NOT AFFIRMED HAS HIGHER SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND VIOLENCE COMPARED TO TRANSGENDER ADOLESCENTS.
THEY STRUGGLE WITH A VARIETY OF ISSUES AND SPEAKING TO THE AUTHENTICALLY SEEN, INCLUDING THE FEAR OF SOCIAL REJECTION AND MIST OR ABUSE FROM PEERS.
AS A RESULT, MANY OF THE STUDENTS SIMPLY SURVIVE RATHER THAN FLOURISH.
I AM GRATEFUL THAT MY CHILD'S EXPERIENCE FIRST YEAR OF TRANSITION AT HER SCHOOL IN THE WOODLANDS WAS OVERWHELMING POSITIVE EXPERIENCE DUE TO THE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT OF HER SCHOOL.
MANY THANKS TO HER COUNSELOR, SUPPORTIVE TEACHERS AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND OF COURSE THE G.S.A.. THANK YOU YOUR TIME.
[00:15:01]
NOW TO THE NEXT CALLER.DO WE HAVE A CALLER ON THE LINE? 5752? THE CALLER IS ON HOLD.
MIGHT WANT TO PAY ATTENTION WHEN WE GET TO YOU.
WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF CALLERS THAT DIDN'T GET THROUGH OR DIDN'T COME ON.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I CAN HEAR YOU.
THIS IS NANCY BECKER FROM CREEKSIDE PARK.
CHAIRMAN BUNCH, DIRECTORS, GOOD EVENING.
I WANTED TO CALL IN TONIGHT TO THANK DON TIRELESS YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
CREEKSIDE PARK WISHES YOU WELL AS YOU BEG CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE AND HOPEFULLY YOU STRANGER.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: HE SAID THANK YOU, NANCY.
>> GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN BUNCH AND DIRECTORS.
I'M MARIANNE AND LIVE THE ALDEN BRIDGE.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE DIRECTORS AND THE STAFF FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN MANAGING THE TOWNSHIP'S ACTIVITIES DURING TH COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
AND KEEPING US INFORMED OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS THE SITUATION CONTINUES.
I SEE ON THE AGENDA YOU WILL BE ACTING ON A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING PRESIDENT/GENERAL DON NORRELL FOR HIS SERVICE THIS EVENING.
THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK HIM FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALDEN BRIDGE VIL ASSOCIATION I'M VERY HONORED TO READ A PROCLAMATION THAT THE VILLAGE ASSOCIAT PREPARED TO HONOR DON NORRELL AS THE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER OF THE WOODLANDS.
PROCLAMATION BY THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP HONORING RETIRING TOWNSHIP PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER DON NORRELL.
BE IT PROCLAIMED WHEREAS THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP, TEXAS, RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE AS A MODEL OF WHAT TRULY OUTSTANDING MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITY SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT.
AND WHEREAS THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP IS COMPRISED OF EIGHT VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS THAT PROVIDE A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPECTIVE GEOGRAPHIC VILLAGES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ELECTED VOLUNTEER BOARDS OF DIRECTORS.
AND WHERE MR. DON NORRELL WAS HIRED AS A MANAGER OF THE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY CORPORATION, JANUARY 1, 2006.
AND SINCE SERVED AS THE ONLY WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP PRESIDENT AND THE GENERAL MANAGER SINCE THE FORMATION ON JUNE 1, 2010.
WHEREAS MR. NORRELL PROVIDED EXCELLENT LEADERSHIP IN THE SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION FORM OF GOVERNANCE TO THE CURRENT TOWNSHIP GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE.
WHEREAS DON BUILT, MAINTAINED, RETAINED A AN OUTSTANDING STAFF OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP EMPLOYEES THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE.
AND WHEREAS DON, THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF D PRESIDENT HAS HELPED ENSURE THE CONTINUITY OF SERVICES AS LOW AS PRACT TAXPAYERS BURDEN WITH THE VARIOUS TOWNSHIP DIRECTORS.
ELECTED BY THE RESIDENTS EVERY YEAR FOR T TWO-YEAR DIRECTOR TERMS. WHEREAS MR. NORRELL HAS HELPED MAINTAIN A OF THE RESIDENT SATISFACTION WITH THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TOWNSHIP DEMONSTRATED BY THE PERIODIC, STATISTICALLY VALID RESIDENT SURVEYS.
AND WHEREAS DON'S LEADERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIPS RECEIVED THE NATIONAL RECOGNITION AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE RECENT AWARD EARNED BY WOODLANDS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
AND WHEREAS DON HAS HELPED AND LED AND DI GOVERNANCE ORGANIZATION THAT IS RECOGNIZED AND RESPECTED BY NEIGHBORING AND REGIONAL PEERS GOVERNING ORGANIZATIONS.
WHEREAS MR. DON NORRELL WILL BE RETIRING WOODLANDS SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES ON 2020.
NOW LET IT BE PROCLAIMED ON THIS DAY JUNE 24, 2020, THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP VILLAGE ASSOCIATION DO HEREB EXPRESS SINCERE AND DEEP
[00:20:02]
RECOGNITION AND ATTITUDE NORRELL FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.FURTHER MORE WE WISH DON AND HIS FAMILY NOTHING BUT THE BEST AS HE MOVES ON TO THE NEXT PHASE OF HIS LIFE.
SIGNED BY THE EIGHT VILLAGE ASSOCIATIO WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THANK YOU MARIANNE AND THE PRESIDENTS OF THE VARIOUS VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THAT LOVELY PROCLAMATION.
DO WE HAVE ANOTHER CALLER ON THE LINE?
I AM ACTUALLY NO LONGER A RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS.
MY FAMILY AND I MOVED OUT OF HARPERS LANDING BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF BEHAVIOR THAT DR. SEKULA-GIBBS EXHIBITED IN RESPONSE TO THE DIVERSITY PROCLAMATION.
SHE IS CERTAINLY ENTITLED TO HER RELIGIOUS, PERSONAL BELIEFS BUT SHE IS NOT ENTITLED TO BE IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY OVER A COMMUNITY WHEN SHE FEELS SO STRONGLY THAT SO MANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNIT NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES.
SO I ASK THAT DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS RESIGN HER POSITION IMMEDIATELY.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: OKAY, MARK.
>> THERE ARE TWO THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP NOW.
FIRST, WITH WHAT DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS SAID, IT WAS COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE.
BUSINESSES LOOK FOR DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW.
THAT TYPE OF STATEMENT MIGHT HURT ALL O WOODLANDS BECAUSE BUSINESSES FRANKLY MIGHT NOT WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOWNSHIP WHERE THEIR GOVERNING BODY MAKES COMMENTS AND ACTIONS LIKE THAT.
SO I HOPE THERE IS SOME ACTION TAKEN AGAINST HER.
OR ANOTHER RESOLUTION OR PROCLAMATION PUT TOGETHER WHERE THE PHRASES AREN'T INCLUDED.
THE SECOND THING IS WITH THE SPREAD OF COVID RECENTLY, A FEW MONTHS AGO THE BOARD WROTE A LETTER UNDERMINING JUDGE HIDALGO' WEAR MASKS.
UNFORTUNATELY, CASES HAVE SPIKED.
THAT LETTER, I WONDER IF IT WOULD BE VIEWING DIFFERENTLY RUNNING IT TODAY WITH IT SPIKING.
I HOPE AND I ASK THAT THE BOARD WRITES ANOTHER LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR MANDATING MASKS IN MONTGOMERY AND HARRIS COUNTY.
THE CAT IS ULTIMATE OF THE BAG, UNFORTUNATELY.
AND TRACTION ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AND THERE IS NO -- DRASTIC ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AND THERE IS NO EXCUSE NOT TO HAVE A MASK POLICY IN PLACE.
THE GOVERNOR BACK TRACKED ON HIS STANCE AND HARRIS COUNTY YOU NEED A MASK AND I ASK THE BOARD TO WRITE ANOTHER LETTER IN SUPPO MASK BAN THROUGHOUT MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: MARK, I WANT TO CORRECT A STATEMENT I THINK YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR COMMENT.
THAT WE REMOVED LANGUAGE FROM THE PROCLAMATION.
I WANT TO PROVIDE CLARIFICATION.
THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IS IN THE PROCLAMATION.
SO I JUST WANT TO -- I'M ONLY ALLOWED TO CORRECT FACT IN PUBLIC COMMENT, NO IT HAVE DIALOGUE BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THA COMING ACROSS.
NO LANGUAGE WAS REMOVED FROM THE PROCLAMATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU THIS AFTERNOON.
I'M A RESIDENT OF COCHRANS CROSSING.
I HAVE LIVED IN THE WOODLANDS FOR 12 YEARS.
[00:25:02]
AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE ACTUALLY CALLED IN TO A MEETING.I MOVED TO DO SO BECAUSE NOT ONLY AM I A MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY IN THE WOODLANDS, I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
I DIDN'T GIVE YOU MY NAME AT THE BEGINN STATEMENT BECAUSE I'M A LITTLE AFRAID TO DO THAT.
UNDER THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE HERE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND IN THE NATION, IT IS MEMBERS OF MY COMMUNITY ARE AFRAID.
WHEN WE SEE MEMBERS IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY IN GOVERNMENT MAKING STATEMENTS LIKE DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS DID IN THE PRESS, OBJECTING TO WHAT WAS AN AFFIRMING PROCLAMATION INCLUDING MY COMMUNITY IN DIVERSITY.
AND THE WOODLANDS COMMITMENT TO SERVING COMMUNITY, I AM MORE AFRAID.
THIS IS PRIDE MONTH, JUNE IS PRIDE MONT COMMUNITY.
I'M SURE Y'ALL ARE WELL AWARE OF THAT.
WE HAVE PUT OUT A PRIDE FLAG EVERY YEAR UNTIL THIS YEAR.
WE SAT DOWN AND HAD A FAMILY MEETING ABOUT IT.
AND WE WERE AFRAID TO DO THAT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT PERSONAL RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS ARE IMPORTANT.
I HOLD MY CHRISTIAN BELIEFS DEAR.
BUT THE SAFETY OF MY PERSON, MY FAMILY, THE FREEDOM TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE CERTAINLY MY GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION IS DEMONSTRATING AND SPEAKING THAT I AM PART OF THEIR CONSTITUENTSY IS VERY IMPORTANT.
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF TO US FEEL SA LIVE.
DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS' STATEMENT DOES MAKE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY LESS SAFE, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
SO, I THANK THE BOARD FOR THE PROCLAMATION.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS TO ASK.
I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU, CHAIRMAN BUNCH, TO VOTE ON THE PROCLAMATION SO THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN KNOW WHICH MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD SUPPORT IT.
I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US AS WELL.
I UNDERSTAND IT WAS NOT VOTED UPON.
THAT IS NOT TYPICAL BUT YOU HAVE THE POWER, CHAIRMAN BUNCH, TO CALL FOR A VOTE.
I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.
SO WOULD THE MEMBERS OF MY COMMUNITY, LGBT COMMUNITY TO LIVE HERE.
I ALSO CALL ON DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS TO RESIGN EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
I DON'T FEEL THAT DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIB LEGITIMATELY SERVE THIS COMMUNITY AFTER READING HER COMMENTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT CALLER.
MY NAME IS TELLY LEWIS, I'M A PRECEDENT MILL.
FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DR. SNYDER FOR THE RECENT PROCLAMATION SUPPORTING INCOLLUSION AND DIVERSITY.
THIS IS MY FIRST TIME CALLING IN A TOWNS MEETING.
THE REASON I FELT THE NEED TO IS DR. SEK OFFENSIVE COMMENTS TO LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
HER COMMENTS DO NOT REPRESENT THE WOODLANDS.
USING CHRISTIANITY OR ANY RELIGION AS AN EXCUSE FOR BIGOTRY IS OFFENSIVE.
SINCE DR. SEKULA-GIBBS DOESN'T BELIEVE IN ALL THE MEMBER OF THE
[00:30:06]
COMMUNITY WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT, HER RESIGNAT SHOULD BE ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO DR. SEKULA-GIBBS' REMARKS ON THE PROCLAMATION.
WHILE I RESPECT HER RELIGIOUS BELIEFS TH SHOULD NOT AND CANNOT SHAPE THE DECISIONS OF WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AS A WHOLE.
THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND OTHER MEMBERS AR REPRESENTED IN ANY WAY WITH HER STATEMENT.
I HOPE THAT SHE SEES THAT HER STATEMENTS ACTUALLY GO AGAINST HER CATHOLIC BELIEFS BUT THAT IS FOR HER TO FIND OUT ON HER OWN TIME.
I BELIEVE THAT SHE NEEDS TO LOOK WITHIN HERSELF AND UNDERSTAND THAT HER POSITION THERE ON THE BOARD CANNOT BE SHAPED BY WHAT SHE BELIEVES BUT WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
SO, PLEASE, IF SHE CAN, PLEASE SPEAK TO THIS.
RECAN'T WHAT SHE IS TRYING TO SAY -- RECANT WHAT SHE IS TRYING TO SAY AND RETHINK HER STANCE ON THIS.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THERE WE GO.
>> GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN BUNCH AND DIRECTORS.
THIS IS CRAIG ANDERSON, A RESIDENT AND PROPERTY OWNER IN THE CREEKSIDE PARK AREA OF THE WOODLANDS.
MY REMARKS ARE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 12 ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
THE ANNEXATION AND THE PATHWAY AGREEMENTS TO THE INDIAN HILLS ROAD TRACT.
I'D LIKE THE BOARD TO KNOW THAT A CREEKSIDE NEIGHBORS COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF RESIDENTS OF LIKE VOYAGER, CANOE BEND, SHADED ARBOR, AND NORTH KENDRICK PINES BOULEVARD, THESE NEIGHBORHOOD ABUTTING THE INDIAN HILLS ROAD TRACT FOLLOWED THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THE COMMITTEE REPEATEDLY ENCOURAGED M.U.D.
WE HAVE MET REGULARLY WITH THE DEVELOPER J.
ALLEN KENT AND THE BUILDERS TOLL BROTHERS AND TRENTMAKE HOMES.
WE REVIEWED THE PLANS AND HAVE HAD OUR QU ANSWERED AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN ASSURANCES REGARDING THE BUILD-OUT QUALITY DEVELOPMENT.
AS A RESULT, THE CREEKSIDE NEIGHBORS COMMITTEE ENDORSES THE INDIAN HILL ROAD TRACT DEVELOPMENT AND URGING THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTER TOES TO APPROVE THE SAME.
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE, THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
I LIVE IN THE WILSHIRE HILLS SUBDIVISION.
I'M CALLING TONIGHT IN REGARD TO THE COM WERE MADE IN THE PROCLAMATION OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
I JUST WANT TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE MANY OT THAT HAVE BEEN ON HERE TONIGHT THAT DIVERSITY IS A STRENGTH.
OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE BUILT ON INCLUSIVENESS.
I RESPECT THE RIGHT TO HAVE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, I DON'T RESPECT THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE
[00:35:03]
THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ON OTHERS AND TO UTILIZE THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS TO DISCRIMINATE OR TO ENCOURAGE BIGOTRY.AND SO, FROM THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT I H HEARD TONIGHT THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO PROCLAMATION WITH THE WORDING THAT WAS ORIGINALLY DONE.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE DIRECTO LOOK IN TO HER OWN HEART.
AND REALIZE SHE IS REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY.
AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY ARE INCLUSIVE.
I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE BOARD TO PUT OUT SOME KIND OF CENSURE OR STATEMENT THAT SAYS THEY DO NOT SUPPORT THAT POINT.
I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS UP TO ME.
MY COMMENTS ARE ALSO REGARDING DR. SEKULA COMMENTS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS FOR TEN YEARS.
I MOVED HERE, TO TEXAS, FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
AND I WAS ABSOLUTELY APPREHENSIVE BECAUSE I ALSO AM A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT EVERY SINGLE PER HAVE RUN IN TO IN THIS AREA HAS BEEN WELCOMING.
HAS BEEN AT THE VERY LEAST TOLERANT.
SO MY QUESTIONS FOR DR. SEKULA-GIBBS ARE AS FOLLOWS.
I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH AN E-MAIL.
NUMBER ONE, WERE YOU AWARE OF YOUR FEELI HOMOPHOBIA BEFORE YOU RAN FOR THIS POSITION? DO YOU FEEL IT IS APPROPRIATE TO INSERT OPINION TO WOODLANDS WHICH IS A NEIGHBORHOOD OF VERY, VERY DIVERSE RELIGIONS? AND DO YOU FEEL IN YOUR HEART THAT YOU TR REPRESENT ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF THE WOODLANDS? IF SO, THEN WHY WOULD YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE DONE? THERE AGAIN I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH AN E-MAIL ASKING YOU THE QUESTIONS DIRECTLY.
I WOULD COUNSEL THE COUNCIL TO LOOK AT DI STATEMENT OF THE MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN THE INCLUDING EXXON, CHEVRON AND ALL THE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES.
THEY ARE VOCAL AND SUCCINCT ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT THE LGBT COMMUNITY.
AND THEIR FALL TO THE BUSINESSES.
I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING, DR. SEKULA-GIBBS, YOU ARE THE FIRST PERSON I KNOW IN THE WOODLANDS THAT EXPRESSED ANY SORT OF BELIEF AT ALL.
I WILL FINISH THIS WITH TWO THINGS.
NUMBER ONE TO DR. SNYDER, I VERY, VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOU PUSHING THIS PROCLAMATION FORWARD.
ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WOODLANDS ARE IN A TROUGH.
ECONOMIC TROUGH AND CULTURAL TROUGH.
IT WILL TAKE ALL OF US TOGETHER TO PULL OURSELVES OUT OF THIS.
THE LAST THING, DR. GIBBS, LOOK IN YOUR HEART.
I ASK YOU TO RECANT YOUR COMMENTS OR STEP DOWN.
THIS IS NOT THE VISION OF GEORGE MITCHELL.
THIS IS NOT THE PEOPLE OF THE WOODLANDS.
I BELIEVE WE STILL HAVE A FEW MORE IN THE QUEUE.
MORE? WE'LL BE HERE FOR A WHILE.
I'M A RESIDENT OF THE VILLAGE OF INDIAN AND I HAVE BEEN FOR TEN YEARS.
AND I'M A STRONG SUPPORTER OF LOCAL BUSINESSES.
I ALSO VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION POSSIBLE.
[00:40:01]
I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE OF THE COMMEN PROCLAMATION MADE BY MRS. SEKULA-GIBBS.I'M OUTRAGED WITH THE OPINION ON THE LGB COMMUNITY BASED ON HER PERSONAL BELIEFS.
I DEMAND THE RESIGNATION OF THE REMOVA DR. SEKULA-GIBBS.
I WILL SUPPORT ANY AND ALL EFFORT ATT PETITIONS IN ORDER TO DO SO.
WE AS A COMMUNITY DO NOT STAND FOR THIS K ARCHAIC MINDSET OR HATEFUL RHETORIC.
THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
AND SOMEHOW IT IS UNKNOWN AND LOST TO DR SEKULA-GIBBS.
WE ARE ANGRY ABOUT THE IGNORANT COMMENTS SHE HAS MADE IN ORDER TO APPEAL TO A CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC THAT LOOKS DOWN ON LIVING THEIR LIVES IN THE MOST HONEST WAY POSSIBLE.
WE WILL NOT STOP OUR EFFORTS TO HAVE HE REMOVED UNTIL IT IS A REALITY.
WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN AND WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED.
IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST TO MAKE A PUBLIC APOLOGY AND FOR HER TO STEP DOWN.
AS A PROUD RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS, SHE DOES NOT REPRESENT ME AND I AM A PROUD, VERY PROUD ALLY.
CONSIDERING THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE AND THE RACIAL UNJUST, HER COMMENTS WERE MADE DURING GAY PRIDE MONTH AND THE TIMING IS MORE THAN JUST TONE DEAF.
WE WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH SPONSORS T TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS OF REVENUE TO OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO SURE THAT THEY KNOW WHAT SHE STANDS FOR.
WE DEMAND FOR HER TO STEP DOWN.
I AM FIERCE ABOUT THIS AND NOBODY WIL OTHERWISE.
I'M A RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS AND COCHRANS CROSSING SPECIFICALLY.
FIRST, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LEFTING US CALL IN AND GIVE OUR COMMENTS.
AS MANY OTHERS ON HERE, MY COMMENTS ARE IN REGARD TO DR. SHELLEY SEKULA-GIBBS, COMMENTS ABOUT THE INCLUSION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR DIVERSITY STATEMENT.
SHE IN DOING SO HAS TRIED TO WEAPONIZE THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IN THE MOST DESPICABLE WAY IN MY OPINION.
AS MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE ALREADY NOTED, FIRSTLY, IT'S NOT REALLY HER PLACE TO BE INSERTING HER RELIGION WHEN WE HAVE SUCH A DIVERSE COMMUNITY.
BUT IN THE SECOND PLACE, MY, MYSELF, AM RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS AND SHE DOES NOT SPEAK FOR ME.
NO ONE IS ASKING FOR HER TO MARRY A WOMAN HERSELF.
WE ARE ONLY ASKING LOVE AND RESPECT SHOWN TO EVERYBODY.
AND WHETHER SHE LIKES IT OR NOT EVERYONE INCLUDES LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
SO THE DIVERSITY STATEMENT MUST INCLU COMMUNITY IN LIGHT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AND THE SUICIDE STATISTICS THAT MANY OF MY FELLOW RESIDENTS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION TODAY.
STATEMENTS LIKE HERS DO TANGIBLE DA COMMUNITY TO TEACH THE LGBTQ FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS THEY ARE UNWORTHY OF LOVE AND RESPECT.
IT'S APPALLING FOR HER TO TRY TO USE CAT SHIELD HER BIGOTRY IN THIS WAY.
SHE HERSELF ACKNOWLEDGED THAT GOD CREATED US ALL WITH EQUAL DIGNITY.
IF SHE TRULY BELIEVED THAT, I DON'T THINK SHE WOULD HAVE OPPOSED THE LANGUAGE TRYING TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DIVERSITY STATEMENT.
IF SHE FEELS THAT SHE IS INCAPABLE OF ACTING AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THEN SHE MUST RELINQUISH HER SEAT TO SOMEONE WHO CAN.
SHE NEEDS TO APOLOGIZE FOR HER DISCRIMINA STATEMENTS AND SHE NEEDS TO STEP DOWN FROM THE TOWNSHIP BOARD.
I'M CALLING WITH REGARD TO THE REPORT YOU RECEIVED LAST WEEK FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CONSTABLE.
I WANT TO FIRST THANK YOU FOR BEING PROA ISSUING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE USE OF MEASURE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO CONTINUE TO UPHOLD OUR STANDARDS.
AND DEMAND -- [INAUDIBLE] BUT THERE WERE TWO TH NOT DISCUSSED LAST WEEK.
NUMBER TWO, THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY IN COMMUNITY POLICING.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO RUN A PROGRAM RUN BY THE WOODLANDS, THE NEIGHBORHOOD
[00:45:05]
WATCH.THERE WAS A PAID EMPLOYEE OF THE TOWNSHIP, I ASSUME MAY BE SANCTIONED WHERE THE ONLY THING I CAN SUMMARIZE IT HE WAS TRYING TO PERPETRATE PARANOIA AND DISTRUST AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
WE LIVE IN A VERY SAFE COMMUNITY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE TAUGHT ME WAS TO ANSWER THE DOOR WITH MY BACK TOWARD THE DOOR, A PHONE PREDIALED TO 911, AND FEAR FOR MY LIFE AT EVERY INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
I, OF COURSE, DID NOT COMMUNICATE THAT TO OUR NEIGHBORS.
THE OTHER THING HE TRIED TO DO IS TO TELL IDENTIFY PEOPLE THAT DO NOT BELONG.
HE USED CODED LANGUAGE LIKE TYPES OF WAYS TO MASS IT CAN WAY TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE THAT DON'T BELONG.
HE WAS ALSO TRYING TO TELL ME THAT CRIME COMES FROM THE CITY.
SO WHAT I ASK HERE THAT BEFORE SOMEONE GO THE OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH FOR POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE, QUESTIONABLE CONTENT THEY LOOK WHETHER THE PROGRAM IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR VALUES AND WHETHER IT PROVIDES AND ENSURES COMMUNITY POLICING IS UP TO THE STANDARDS THAT WE ALL ASPIRE.
I BOUGHT MY HOUSE IN PANTHER CREEK IN 2008 OR 2009.
I THINK THE WOODLANDS IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE.
I ALSO THINK THAT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR H THERE.
I THINK DR. GIBBS SHOULD OFFER HER RESIGNA IMMEDIATELY.
AND THAT IS REALLY ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THERE WE GO.
>> THIS IS JASON ROCHA WITH WOODLANDS PRIDE BUT I'M JUST REPRESENTING MYSELF.
OF COURSE I HAD A PREPARED STATEMENT.
I WAS GOING TO SADLY READ A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED IN 2020.
SPECIFICALLY TRANS-MEN AND WOMEN.
THERE ARE ABOUT 16 SO FAR THIS YEAR.
BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE IN PERSON A LOT OF Y AREN'T ABLE TO BE SEEN OVER YOUR MONITORS.
AND NOW WE GET TO SEE YOU IN YOUR FULL GLORY.
BRUCE, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE BURGER.
GORDY, THE REASON WHY THIS IS SO LONG IS MS. GIBBS DOESN'T UNDERSTAND, IT DOESN'T LIKE SHE UNDERSTANDS AT LEAST HER POSITION.
THE FACT THAT SHE THINKS THAT SHE IS THE THE MORAL AUTHORITY OVER ANYBODY IS JUST, IT'S KIND OF SHAMEFUL, ACTUALLY.
ME AND MY FIANCÉE, MY MALE FIANCE ARE BABYSITTING.
GO MOMS. YOU HAVE A LOT TO DO OUT THERE.
[00:50:01]
WE KNEW THAT SHE SUPPORTED A GROUP CALL RESEARCH COUNCIL" WHICH AGAIN, I'VE SEPTEMBER 25 LAST YEAR, THIS IS WHAT THEY BELIEVE.THAT HOMOSEXUAL CONDUCT IS HARMFUL TO THE PERSONS WHO ENGAGE IN IT AND SOCIETY AT LARGE AND TO NEVER BE AFFIRMED.
I BELIEVE I POSED THE QUESTION.
SO IF YOU SHOULD NEVER, IF YOU ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE RIGHT NOW, AND YOU BELIEVE THAT, THAT SOMEONE SHOULD NEVER BE AFFIRMED YOU, HOW DO YOU, HOW DO OTHER PEOPLE ON ENDORSE YOU? WHICH MOST OF YOU DID.
BY THE WAY, FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL IS A DESIGNATED HATE GROUP.
OBVIOUSLY I REQUEST THAT YOU RESIGN.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE KNEE-JERK REACTION IS GOING TO BE TO PLAY VICTIM.
MR. ENMAN DID THIS AT THE SCHOOL BOARD WHEN HE SAID THAT LGBTQ PEOPLE WERE THE MOST VILE PEOPLE HE HAD EVER COME ACROSS.
NO ONE IS ATTACKING YOUR FAITH.
WE ARE SIMPLY SAYING DO YOUR JOB.
AND BECAUSE IT IS SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT YOU CANNOT DO THAT, YOU HAVE TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.
AND THE ONLY CONSEQUENCE I SEE IS A PROPER RESIGNATION.
I DO WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO DR. SNYDER FOR BRINGING THIS UP.
I WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO DIRECTOR BROWN AND DIRECTOR NELSON FOR PAYING ATTENTION.
WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? THIS IS 2020.
IN THE WAKE OF EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING O BE BETTER THAN THIS? WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS.
WE'LL GO ON TO OUR NEXT CALLER.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WE CAN HEAR YOU.
I HAVE GROWN UP IN THE WOODLANDS.
TODAY WHEN I HEARD WHAT DR. SEKULA-GIBBS SAID, IT REALLY IS STARTLING TO ME.
WHEN YOU CAN'T BE INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORT DIVERSITY, IT'S REALLY ALARMING.
BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, GROWING UP HERE I HAVE ALWAYS FELT LIKE THIS IS THE COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE COME TO, YOU KNOW, BE ONE WITH OTHER.
YOU KNOW? I REMEMBER GROWING UP AND WE HAD THE LIGHTING OF THE DOVES.
AND THE COMMUNITY ALL COMES TOGETHER.
WE HAVE THESE DIFFERENT FESTIVALS AND WHATNOT.
DR. SEKULA-GIBBS JUST DOES NOT REPRESENT ME.
I DON'T THINK SHE REPRESENTS THE WOODLANDS.
WHEN YOU CAN'T ACCEPT EVERYONE AND YOU CAN REPRESENT ALL OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS THEN YOU NEED TO STEP DOWN.
I DON'T CARE WHAT SEXUAL ORIENTATION YOU ARE OR WHAT YOUR RELIGION IS.
I MEAN WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
TO TALK DOWN ABOUT A GROUP OF PEOPLE IS JUST WRONG.
AND SO I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT SHE RESIGNS.
I HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH ALL OF US SPEAKING TONIGHT YOU WILL HEAR ALL OF OUR VOICES AND WHAT WE FEEL SHOULD BE, SHE NEED REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY OF THE WOODLANDS.
I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THIS.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WE'LL GO TO OUR NEXT CALLER.
[00:55:04]
CALLER 5181.>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THAT'S YOU.
>> MY NAME IS CALVIN OVERSTREET.
I HAVE BEEN A PROUD RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS.
I HAD A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME WORK FOR A GOOD COMPANY HERE.
AND I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED SO MUCH THE LIFE HERE.
I AM REALLY CURIOUS ABOUT DR. GIBBS' COMMENTS.
PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT THAT HAVING REV FINANCIAL RECORDS AND KNOWING THAT SHE MOVED HER 18 MONTHS BEFORE SHE RAN FOR OFFICE.
SHE LOANED HERSELF $40,000 BECAUSE THERE WAS APPARENTLY NOT SUFFICIENT SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY TO ELECT HER.
I'M CURIOUS WHAT HER PURPOSE WAS TO BE ON THE BOARD.
I'M WONDERING IF THIS IS WHAT SHE CAME TO DO, TO TRY TO DIVIDE OR WHATEVER.
BECAUSE THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LOTS OF PEOPLE.
I WOULD JUST ASK HER TO SERIOUSLY RESIGNING.
>> I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE AN APPOINT DOCTOR.
IT'S NOT -- >> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: MA'AM? HELLO? I'M THINKING THAT THEY HAVE FORGOT THEY ARE ON OUR CALL.
I'M JUST CALLING IN BECAUSE I HAVE LIVED WOODLANDS SINCE 1997.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT WAS A GREAT TOWN.
MY KIDS WENT THROUGH SCHOOL HERE.
WE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM EVERYWHERE.
WITH THAT IN MIND, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT I HOPE THIS WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP WOULD GO ON THE INCLUSIVE PATH.
RATHER THAN THE EXCLUSIVE PATH.
YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD BE WELCOMING AND RESPECTFUL AND MAYBE EVEN CARING FOR PEOPLE OF EVERY DIFFERENT PERSUASION AND/OR BELIEF.
I WOULD HATE TO SEE THAT COME TO AN END.
[01:00:05]
YOU KNOW, I JUST, THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPL EVERYWHERE WALK OF LIFE THAT I CAN'T SAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO E ANYBODY.SO THAT IS ABOUT ALL I WANTED TO SAY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT SO I'M SORRY IF I SPOKE OUT OF TURN.
MY NAME IS NATALIE MENOLOWSKI.
I HAVE LIVED IN THE WOODLANDS SENSE I WAS YEARS OLD.
I'M CALLING BECAUSE I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT DIRECTOR SHELLEY SEKULA-GIBBS WELCOMING AND SUPPORTING PEOPLE OF VARIOUS SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS AND IDENTITIES.
THAT IS THE QUOTE IN THE WOODLANDS.
ALTHOUGH SHE AFFIRMED IN LAST THURSDAY'S MEETING THAT AGAIN SHE DOES BELIEVE WE ARE ALL MADE IN GOD'S IMAGE AND LIKENESS WITHOUT EXCEPTION WE MUST BE TREATED WITH COMPASSION AND RESPECT.
NEVERTHELESS, HER VOLUNTARY OPPOSITION TO MAKING THE WOODLANDS A PLACE FOR ALL RESIDENTS REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND IDENTITY SYMBOLIZES THAT SHE DOES NOT SEEK A TRULY DIVERSE AND INCLUSIV WOODLANDS.
DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS IS OUT OF LINE TO LET HER RELIGIOUS BELIEFS GUIDE HER DECISIONS AS A POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WOODLANDS.
ADDITIONALLY BASED ON A STATEMENT SHE MADE IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT, "THE WOODLANDS CAN BECOME AN EVEN BETTER PLACE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO GROW UP AND RAISE THEIR FAMILIES." IT IS CL HAS A VISION FOR THE WOODLANDS THAT EXCLUDES THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY AND FAMILIES.
ALTHOUGH THE MOST RECENTLY DIVERSITY STATEMENT THAT SEKULA-GIBBS PARTIALLY OPPOSES, IT REVEALS WHAT SHE MAY DO IN THE FUTURE SO I DEMAND SHE RESIGN IMMEDIATELY.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR PUTTING TO PROCLAMATION ENSURING THAT.
I THINK THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT ACTIONS THAT SUPPORT THE PROCLAMATION.
I THINK THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS PROCLAMATION, REAL ACTION.
THANK YOU ALSO FOR SPEAKING OUT BEFORE ISSUES.
>> THIS IS STEVE LAKEY CALLING.
HOW ARE YOU, SIR? GOOD EVENING.
THIS IS STEVE, I LIVE IN THE VILLAGE OF ALDEN BRIDGE.
I'M CALLING TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER DON NORRELL FOR HIS EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
EVER THE CONSUMMATE GENTLEMAN, HE HAS WOR SUCCESSFULLY WHERE EVERY TOWNSHIP BOARD IN HISTORY, LED A TEAM OF OUTSTANDING STAFF MEMBERS AND HELPED TO SEE THE COMMUNITY A VARIETY O AND YET, SOMETIMES DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.
DON'S DOOR IS LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY ALWAYS OPEN AND HE HAS BEEN AVAILABLE TO US ALL.
YOU ARE THE VERY BEST AND WE SEND OUR BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AS YOU TRANSITION TO THE NEXT PHASE OF YOUR REMARKABLE LIFE.
YOU WILL BE MISSED, MY FRIEND, AND SIR.
WE STILL HAVE MORE CALLERS THERE? OKAY.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: CALLER? HERE WE GO.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: HELLO, CALLER.
CAN YOU HEAR US? HELLO? I'M NOT SURE.
[01:05:05]
>> THERE ARE THREE CALLERS IN THE QUEUE NONRESPONSIVE.
WELL, WE HAVE GIVEN EVERYONE WHO WAS IN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.
I DO WANT TO CLARIFY A FEW THINGS BECAUSE I THINK A FEW OF OUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS MADE SOME COMMENTS THAT I CAN ONLY CORRECT F STATEMENTS.
FIRST WAS THE PROCLAMATION HAVING LANGUAGE REMOVED.
IT WAS SIGNED PRIOR TO THE BOARD MEETING BY ME.
AND THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IS STILL INTACT.
IN FACT, THIS IS THE THIRD PROCLAMATION WITH SIMILAR LANGUAGE THAT HAS BEEN PASSED BY THIS BOARD OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF ALL THE COMMUNITY IN ITS ENTIRETY.
AND THE PROCLAMATION FROM LAST WEEK EXPAN INCLUDED ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE.
WE HAD ONE OF OUR CALLERS ASK ABOUT OUR OPPOSITION TO THE HARRIS COUNTY MASK ORDER.
THE OPPOSITION WE HAD TO THE LAST MASK ORDER HAD TO DO WITH THE $1,000 FINE AND THE REQUIREMENT IT BE WORN EVERYWHERE.
THAT IS ALL I CAN STATE ON THAT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ASKED FOR FEEDBACK OR COMMENTS.
IN PUBLIC COMMENT THE BOARD IS NOT ALLOWED TO GET THE DIALOGUE OR RESPOND.
IF WE DO NOT HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS OR RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THOSE CO TONIGHT.
WE DO NOT HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM ON MANY OF THAT WERE SUGGESTED.
SO WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.
THERE ARE NO MORE PUBLIC COMMENT.
CALLER? HELLO? IT SOUNDS LIKE OUR LAST TWO IN THE QUEUE A NONRESPONSIVE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THERE WE GO.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WE CAN HEAR YOU.
I'M A RESIDENT IN THE WOODLANDS.
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE RAISING OUR THREE KIDS HERE IN THE WOODLANDS.
I JUST WANTED TO DIRECT MY COMMENTS TO SEKULA-GIBBS.
ALONG, YOU KNOW, WITH ALL OF YOU ON THE BOARD.
I WAS CERTAINLY OFFENDED BY HER COMMENTS THIS WEEK THAT SHE MADE.
WHILE SHE IS ENTITLED TO HER RELIGIOUS BELIEFS I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT HER RELIGIOUS BELIEFS HAVE TO DO WITH HER POSITION BOARD.
I HAVE BEEN OF THE OPINION WE JUST SHOULDN'T BE USING OUR FAITH TO FIGHT INCLUSION OR RIGHTS OF OTHERS.
I JUST SEE THAT IS WHAT SHE IS DOING HERE TODAY.
I THINK IT IS FASCINATING THAT WE, WITH A RIGHT NOW, THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S 2020.
I THINK WE COULD JUST POINT TO SO MANY TH UNFORTUNATE FOR SOCIETY TO THOSE WHO HAVE LOUDER VOICES THAT OPPRESS AND EXCLUDE AND DIVIDE LIKE HER COMMENTS DO.
IF WE WANT THINGS TO GET BETTER IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN OUR LARGER SOCIETY, IT STARTS BY BEING INCLUSIVE AND UNDERSTANDING ALL WHO WE ARE SURROUNDED BY.
AS DR. SEKULA-GIBBS SHOULD KNOW THAT.
SO, LIKE OTHERS HERE TONIGHT SHE NEEDS TO RECANT HER STATEMENT AND RESIGN.
[01:10:09]
I DON'T THINK SHE HAS ANY BUSINESS BEING THE LEADER IN OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE WOODLANDS.I BELIEVE THAT WAS OUR LAST CALLER.
SO THIS WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.
AGENDA ITEM 5, I'M GOING TO ASK THAT WE DEFER TO AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[6. President/General Manager's Report; a. Local Students Appointed to Military Academies recognized by Congressman Brady ]
WHICH WILL MOVE US TO AGENDA ITEM 6.PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT.
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON DR. SEKULA-GIBBS TO TALK ABOUT SOME YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR RECEIVING RECENT APPOINTMENTS TO SERVICE ACADEMIES.
I BELIEVE SHE IS MUTED RIGHT NOW.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: OKAY.
IT'S MY PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THAT SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY, SEVERAL YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED TO THE MILITARY ACADEMIES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THEY WERE APPOINTED, NOMINATED I SHOULD SAY.
NOMINATED BY CONGRESSMAN KEVIN BRADY AS REPRESENTATIVE FROM DISTRICT EIGHT.
I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE FIRST IS MARGARET "MAGGIE" MARLOW.
SHE IS GOING INTO THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY.
ALEXANDRIA "ALLIE" GRIFFITH ALSO GOING TO THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY.
JOSHUA "JOSH" SORENSEN TO THE U.S.
MIA MARTINEZ WILL BE ATTENDING THE NAVAL PREP SCHOOL.
I WOULD LIKE TO WISH AND I'M SURE ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD JOIN ME TO CONGRATULATE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND WISHING THEM ALL THE BEST, FUTURE SUCCESS, GREAT ADVENTURES ARE FOR THEM.
WE'LL NOW TAKE UP THE CON SENT AGENDA.
[ CONSENT AGENDA]
WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
[8. Receive, consider and act upon emergency authorities related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, and authorizing the President/General Manager to act in connection therewith;]
ITEM 8, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON E AUTHORITIES RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC, AND AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER TO ACT IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PRESENTATIONS, I BELIEVE.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A QUICK UPDATE REG INCREASE IN POSITIVE ACTIVE CASES RELATIVE TO CORONAVIRUS.
THIS PARTICULAR SLIDE CAME OUT THIS AFTERNOON AT 3:00 P.M.
FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
WHEN YOU SEE THE ASTERISK ON HOSPITALIZED, 13.
THAT IS 13 MONTGOMERY COUNTY RESIDENTS.
THERE IS A LITTLE DISCLAIMER ON THERE THAT WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT IN THIS PARTICULAR GRAPHIC REPRESEN HOSPITALIZATIONS.
THIS GETS IN TO ALL THE CORONAVIRUS HOSPITALIZATIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY.
SO, WHILE WE ONLY HAVE SO MANY OF OUR OWN RESIDENTS IN GENERAL ISOLATION OR THE I.C.U.
BEDS, THERE ARE PATIENTS THAT ARE COMING IN TO THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM FROM THE ADJACENT COUNTIES.
SO SET-RACK IS THE SYSTEM YOU CAN LOOK A SEE WHAT IS THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
IT GIVES US UPDATE ON THE BED USUAL AND VENTILATORS.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME WE ISOLATED T MONTGOMERY AND HARRIS COUNTY SPECIFICS.
THE FIRST WAS MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
SECOND SLIDE IS HARRIS COUNTY.
THIS GIVES YOU A VIEW OF THE LAST FEW WEEKS.
SO THE BOTTOM GREEN LINE INDICATES THE NUMBER OF COVID PATIENTS IN GENERAL
[01:15:04]
USE BEDS FROM JUNE 9 TO TODAY.WE HAVE HAD GONE FROM 31 TO 110.
THE DARK BLUE LINE REPRESENTS OTHER PATI THAT ARE IN GENERAL BEDS IN THE HOSPITAL.
YOU CAN SEE THAT IS FAIRLY STABLE IN THE 800S.
ORANGE LINE IS NORMAL OPERATING CAPACITY OF THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM AT 1251 BEDS.
WE HAVE CAPACITY THERE FOR THE GENERAL USE BEDS.
RED LINE IS THE SURGE CAPACITY FOR THE MON COUNTY.
HARRIS COUNTY SAW SIMILAR GROWTH IN COVID BED USE.
FROM JUNE 72, IT WENT FROM 499 COVID PATIE GENERAL USE BEDS TO 1143.
YOU CAN SEE THE DARK BLUE LINE IS THE SAME GENERAL USE BEDS FOR OTHER PATIENTS.
AND THERE IS A HUGE GAP BETWEEN THAT AND OPERATING GENERAL BEDS.
OPERATIONAL NORMAL GENERAL BEDS.
AS WELL AS THE RED LINE BEING THE SURGE CAPACITY.
LAST SEVERAL WEEKS SHOWING I.C.U.
BEDS, UTILIZATIONS HAVE FROM 10 TO 21.
YOU CAN ALSO SEE THAT GENERAL USE OF I.C.U.
BEDS ARE ALSO UP DARK BLUE LINE FROM 136 TO 143.
WE ARE A LOT CLOSER TO THAT ORANGE LIN MONTGOMERY COUNTY THAN WE WOULD LIKE.
WHICH IS WHY YOU ARE HEARING FROM THE LOCAL HOSPITAL SYSTEMS CONCERNS FOR REINSTATING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND REAFFIRMING THOSE PRACTICES.
THE TOP RED LINE IS THE I.C.U., SURGE CAPACITY FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
THIS IS GOING TO BE HARRIS COUNTY'S I.C.U.
THEY HAVE GONE FROM 240 I.C.U.
YOU CAN SEE THE DARK BLUE LINE HAS BEEN R STATIC AT 1,500.
IN HARRIS AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY ON THE I.C.U.
SIDE AND WE HAVE A BIG GAP FOR THE SURGE CAP THE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS. NEXT SLIDE.
VENTILATOR USE FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
THE LIGHT BLUE COLOR IS THE VENTILATORS IN USE.
THE DARK BLUE COLOR IS ADDITIONAL AVAILABLE.
PLENTY OF VENTILATORS AVAILABLE AS IT STANDS TODAY IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
SIMILAR PICTURE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
ALTHOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE A HIGHER UTIL VENTILATORS THAN IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY BUT PLENTY OF ADULT AND PEDIATRIC CAPACITY FOR VENTILATORS.
THIS IS THE CENSUS OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN BEDS THAT ARE SUSPECTED TO HAVE CORONAVIRUS VERSUS CONFIRMED.
THE NUMBER OF THE CONFIRMED ON THE GENOCIDE IS GOING UP.
YOU HAVE HAD A BIG INCREASE HERE ON THE ISOLATION BEDS CONFIRMED FROM THE 352 A FEW WEEKS AGO TO 847.
THIS IS WHAT THE MEDIA PICKING UP ON.
WE ASKED LAST WEEK FOR WHAT IS THE SITUATIONAL READINESS FOR THE P.P.E.
SO THIS IS THE CURRENT INVENTORY FOR THE LOCAL P.P.E.
SUPPLY PLETHORA OF N95 MASKS FOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS.
SURGICAL MASKS, GLOVES, GOWNS AND FACE SHIELDS.
SO WE DO HAVE ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON HAND.
I RECEIVED COMMUNICATION FROM ALL THE LO MONTGOMERY COUNTY HOSPITAL C.E.O.S.
THEY ASKED THAT WE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WI COMMUNITY.
THE DIRECT, "WE ARE ASKING THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT THE HOSPITAL WORKERS ENCOURAGING MASS COVERINGS IN PUBLIC PLACINGS SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH LIMITED GATHERING OF PEOPLE AND PROPER HAND HYGIENE." THESE HAVE BEEN LONG THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE C.D.C. SINCE WE STARTED THIS THREE AND A HALF MONTHS AGO.
THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT THE I.C.U.
BED UPTICK IS GETTING UNCOMFORTABLY CLOSE TO THE NORMAL OPERATING CAPACITY.
THINK ARE ASKING FOR ALL THE RESIDENTS AND THE BUSINESSES TO PROACTIVELY TAKE ACTIONS TO REINSTITUTE THE THINGS THAT HELP US F CURVE THE FIRST TIME SO WE CAN PROTECT THAT CAPACITY FOR THOSE IN NEED.
OKAY? I THINK IT WAS THE LAST SLIDE.
THIS IS A TOWNSHIP GRAPHIC WE HAVE BEEN SOCIAL MEDIA TO GIVE YOU
[01:20:05]
GOOD INFORMATION ON HOW TO PUT A MASK ON AND NOT TO USE THE MASKS REPEATEDLY.THEY DO NOT HAVE BENEFIT AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN WORN.
MORE ABOUT WASHING YOUR HANDS, WEARING A M SOCIAL DISTANCING.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH OUT THE MESSAG C.D.C. IS PROVIDING US AS GUIDANCE AS WELL AS FROM THE HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY.
WE KNOW THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE HOSPITAL CAPACITY, WHICH IS WHAT THE ENTIRE SHUTDOWN/STAY-AT-HOME ORDER AND THE PREVIOUS ORDERS HAVE BEEN ALL ABOUT.
I WANT TO GIVE THAT SHORT WINDOW CONTEXT UPDATE OF HOW IT IS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY.
HOPEFULLY IT WILL GIVE EVERYONE CLEAR PICTURE OF WE ARE NOT AT THE CAPACITY YET.
BUT WE ARE CREEPING UP TOWARD IT UNCOMFO QUICK.
SO MY COMPANY IS NOT IN HARRIS COUNTY, WH SUBJECT TO A FORCED ORDER HAS GONE PROACTIVE ON MASKS.
WE ARE GOING TO DO IT EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT BEING REQUIRED TO.
JUST ENCOURAGING THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY TO DO THE SAME.
I THINK DON, DID YOU HAVE PRESENTATIONS AS WELL?
BUT I BELIEVE THAT DR. SNYDER, DIRECTOR SN HAS A PRESENTATION.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN BUNCH.
I SHARED LAST WEEK THAT I WOULD GIVE REGARDING OUR NON-PROFITS AND WHAT THEY ARE SEEING AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING DUR THIS PANDEMIC.
IF YOU LOOK, THERE IS A NUMBER OF NON-PRO HAVE REPORTED OUT EACH MONTH.
BUT I WANTED TO CONCENTRATE ON THESE FOUR.
INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS, WHICH IS O NON-PROFIT SINCE THE MIDDLE OF MARCH THROUGH MAY 31 IN COMPARISON FROM 2019 TO 2020 FOOD ASSISTANCE, THEY HAVE SEEN 124% INCREASE.
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MISTY HERNDON THEY HAVE DONE AN AMAZING, AN AMAZING JOB.
BUT IT IS, IT IS STILL VERY CHALLENGING FOR VERY MANY PEOPLE.
THEY ALSO CRISIS ASSISTANCE, THEY HAVE SEEN ANOTHER INCREASE.
THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO GIVE OUT CARES ACT ROUND ONE FUNDING FOR THE LOW INCOME RESIDENTS FOR RENT, MORTGAGE, UTILITIES AND PRESCRIPTIONS.
NEXT, THE NEXT STEP IS THEY ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH THE PRECINCT THREE.
TO DISTRIBUTE RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO MIDDLE INCOME RESIDENTS.
IF YOU LOOK AT MEALS ON WHEELS IT'S SMALL INTERFAITH AS FAR AS STAFF.
BUT THEY HAVE SEEN VERY UPTICK IN DELIVER CONGREGATE MEALS AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION.
THEIR TRANSPORTATION HAS HAD CHALLENGES BECAUSE ONCE COVID-19 MIDDLE OF MARCH, THEY MADE THE DECISION TO ONLY TRANSPORT INDIVIDUALS ONE RIDER PER CAR.
THEY HAVE A WAIT LIST OF CLOSE TO 400 PEOP SERVICE.
THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS THE SUSTAINABILITY OF ADDING CLIENTS TO THIS SERVICE.
THE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER WHICH REACHES OUT TO ALL OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY HAS ALSO SEEN AN INCREASE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
BUT FOOD ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN THEIR BIG DRIVER AS IT HAS BEEN WITH MEALS ON WHEELS AND INTERFAITH.
THEY HAVE CLOSE TO 800% INCREASE IN THEIR NEED OF PEOPLE NEEDING FOOD.
THEN THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOOD BANK WHICH PARTNERS WITH A NUMBER OF ENTITIES THROUGHOUT MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
THEY HAVE DISTRIBUTED ALMOST 3.5 MILLION MEALS SINCE THE MIDDLE OF MARCH TO THE END OF MAY.
[01:25:01]
THEY HAVE SEEN INCREASE OF, YOU KNOW, 150%-PLUS.SO, HOW IS THIS HAPPENING? I APPLAUD EACH AND EVERY NON-PROFIT, THEY REALLY HAVE WORKED TOGETHER.
BE IT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOOD BANK AND THEIR PARTNER AGENCIES, INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS, MEALS ON WHEELS, THE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER, MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, CISD, UNITED WAY, HUMANE SOCIETY, YMCA AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF OTHER FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.
SEVERAL THINGS THAT I WANTED, THEY WANTE SHARE AND SAY THANK YOU AT THE FOOD BANK.
THEY HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF RESERVE TH COMMUNITY HAS HELPED IN FEEDING THE NATIONAL GUARD DURING THEIR TENURE.
I THINK THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO STAY AT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOOD BANK.
HOPEFULLY RIGHT NOW IT'S THE END OF JULY.
THEY HAVE HELPED MAXIMIZE AND MAKE SURE PARTNER AGENCIES RECEIVING FOOD THEY NEED.
ONE, THE YMCA IS HOLDING A BLOOD DRIVE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY NEEDED.
PLEASE PREREGISTER AT GIVEBLOOD.ORG.
THE 10TH AND THE 13TH ARE BOTH AT THE SHADOWBEND.
THEN THE OTHER ONE ON THE 13TH IS AT THE ASHLAND WAY.
PANTRY PARTNERS IS HAPPENING JUNE 25 AT THE WOOD FOREST STADIUM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INTERFAITH COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER, KROGERS AND CISD.
THEY PLAN ON SERVING 600 FAMILIES.
ALWAYS VOLUNTEERS, IF YOU ARE PRACTICING GOOD HYGIENE AS WELL AS WEARING A MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCING, REACH OUT TO THE NON-PROFIT TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP WITH DISTRIBUTING THE FOOD.
IN CONCLUSION, I WANT TO REMIND THIS IS A CHALLENGING TIME FOR MANY, MANY PEOPLE.
BEING SELF-CONTAINED IN HOMES.
THAT HAVE THE FINANCIAL CRISIS.
AND/OR SPOUSAL AND CHILD ABUSE.
WHAT MOSAICS OF MERCY WHICH IS ONE OF MAN MENTAL HEALTH, THEY HAVE SEEN THEIR CALLS INCREASE 22% DURING THIS TIME FRAME.
BUT IN THE PAST, THE AVERAGE CALL WAS LESS THAN TWO HOURS.
NOW, DURING THE PANDEMIC THE AVERAGE CALL LENGTH HAS BEEN AT LEAST SIX HOURS.
THEY ARE REALLY A CENTRAL HUB FOR THE ME RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
WHAT THEY ASK IS THAT WE SHARE THEIR SOCI POSTS AND ALSO THEIR WEBSITE WITH FRIENDS AND CONTACTS WHO ARE HAVING H DIFFICULT STRUGGLES RIGHT NOW.
AND IF NOT, CHAIRMAN, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: THANK YOU.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER ITEMS ON THIS SUBJECT? THIS AGENDA?
DR. SEKULA-GIBBS MAY HAVE SOMETHING.
WE DO NOT HAVE A STAFF REPORT.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: CHAIRMAN BUNCH GAVE AN EXCELLENT REPORT.
I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD BUT TO RECOMMEND WE FOLLOW HIS ADVICE.
SO THERE IS NO ACTION TO TAKE ON THESES PRESENTATIONS.
[01:30:03]
WE'LL TAKE MOTION TO ACCEPT THEM.>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
[9. Receive, consider and act upon the repair of the Grogan's Forest neighborhood entry sign monument;]
NOW GO TO ITEM 9, RECE CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE REPAIR OF THE GROGAN'S FOREST NEIGHBORHOOD SIGN MONUMENT.PAGES 33-39.>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN BUNCH AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
THIS IS TO DISCUSS THE GROGAN'S FOREST SIGN AT GROGAN'S MILL AND RESEARCH FOREST.
ORIGINALLY IT WAS INSTALLED IN 2010.
DUE TO THE RESIDENTS' REQUEST.
THEY WANTED A MONUMENT SIGN THAT INDIC NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE HAVE OVER 550 OF THE SIGNS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
THIS SIGN HAS HAD SOME CHALLENGES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
IT HAS BEEN HIT, DESTROYED AND REPLACED T SINCE 2015.
WITHIN THE -- IT WAS LAST HIT IN JULY OF 2019.
AT THAT TIME WE STARTED TO HEAR SOME, INFORMATION FROM THE COUNTY REGARDING THE FACT THAT THERE WAS GOIN IMPROVEMENTS OR ENHANCEMENTS IN THE AREA.
THAT IS WHY THE SIGN HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED.
WE HAVE SINCE THAT TIME, WE RECEIVED T REQUESTS FOR RESIDENTS AND COMMENTS FROM RESIDENTS WHEN THE SIGN IS BEING REPLACED.
DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE A FIRM DATE ON WHEN IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO THAT AREA, WE ARE BRINGING FORTH TO YOU SOME OPTIONS ON TO REPLACE THE SIGN, KNOWING THAT IF WE WERE TO REPLACE THE SIGN, WE MOVE IN A YEAR OR TWO.
THE THREE OPTIONS WOULD BE TO ONE COMPLETELY REMOVE THE BASE OF THE SIGN SO KIND OF OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND AND WORK WITH THE A FUTURE DATE TO RELOCATE THE SIGN.
THE SECOND OPTION IS TO ACTUALLY JUST INSTALL THE SIGN BLADE.
NOT KNOWING THE TIMELINE OF THE RENOVATIONS TO THAT AREA.
THAT WE KNOW WE WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVE AT SOME POINT.
AND THE THIRD OPTION WOULD BE TO WORK WITH THE PRECINCT IN THIS CASE, PRECINCT 3 TO IDENTIFY AN AREA THAT IS OUTSIDE OF THE POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AREA OR ROAD RENOVATION.
WORK WITH THEM TO IDENTIFY THE LOCATION AND INSTALL A NEW SIGN FOR THAT.
COST FOR THE SIGN DEPENDING ON THE OPTIONS RANGE FROM $12,000 TO $25,000.
AS STAFF WE ARE JUST LOOKING FOR DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD ON WHAT THEY MIGHT LIKE TO SEE DONE WITH THE GROGAN'S FOREST SIGN AT FOREST AND GROGAN'S MILL.
>> CHRIS, I LIVE IN THAT AREA.
YOU KNOW, YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO TALK TO CHARLIE RILEY.
IT'S ON THE NORTHSIDE OF RESEARCH FOREST.
THAT IS ACTUALLY PRECINCT TWO.
CHARLIE IS ACTUALLY DOING THE RIGHT TURN LANE ON THE SOUTHBOUND SIDE OF GROGAN'S MILL AS WE SPEAK.
I WOULD REALLY SUGGEST IF WE CAN THAT THE SIGN SHOULD BE MOVED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET.
IT IS INCREDIBLY UNLIKELY IT WILL BE HIT OVER THERE.
WHAT HAPPENS IS IN THAT INTERSECTION IS YOU HAVE TWO LANES, THE LEFT-HAND LANE IS A LEFT TURN ONLY.
THE RIGHT LANE IS A STRAIGHT LEFT TURN OPTION.
WHAT HAPPENS IS PEOPLE IN THE LEFT LANE G AND GET HIT BY SOMEBODY TURNING LEFT.
THEY DRIVE THEM RIGHT IN THAT MONUMENT SIGN.
I REALLY THINK IF WE CAN WORK OUT A WAY TO PUT IT ON THE OTHER SIDE, THAT SITUATION WOULD GO AWAY.
>> DIRECTOR RIESER THAT WOULD BE THE NOR CORNER TO THE INTERSECTION, CORRECT?
IT'S IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN THE NORTH AND THE SOUTHBOUND ROADS.
IS THAT A SUGGESTION FOR OPTION ONE, TWO, OR THREE? YOU MUTED YOURSELF AGAIN.
I'M REALLY GOOD AT READING LIPS BUT THAT GOOD.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: IT SAYS IT IS OFF.
ANYWAY, THE ISSUE IS ANY OF THE IMPROVEMENTS THERE REALLY WON'T AFFECT THE TERRITORY TO THE EAST OF NORTHBOUND GROGAN'S ROAD.
ALL OF THIS STUFF THAT WE ARE PROPOSING WOULD TEAR OUT EITHER THE, YOU KNOW, THE AREA BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH AND, YOU KNOW WOULDN'T AFFECT IT ON THE OTHER SIDE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS ACTUALLY W RIGHT-OF-WAY OR SHENANDOAH.
I MIGHT TALK TO RICH WHEELER ABOUT THAT.
[01:35:08]
IF WE PUT IT ON THE RIGHT SIDE PEOPLE WOUL HITTING IT.>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: SO WOULD YOU RECOMMEND WORKING OUT WHO HAS THE RIGHT-OF-WAIT FOR THE LOCATION THAT YOU MENTIONED?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: SO THAT WOULD BE A DEFER UNTIL WE GET CLARITY?
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE CAN MOVE IT TO THE EAST SIDE.
IF WE LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW, IT'S INEVITABLE IT WILL BE HIT AGAIN.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S ONLY BEEN HIT THREE TIMES.
FRANKLY, SEEING CARS UP ON THAT MEDIAN SO MANY TIMES IT'S, IT'S REMARKABLE.
IT'S ONLY BEEN KNOCKED DOWN THREE TIMES.
I THINK IF WE SPEAK TO COMMISSIONER RILEY AND TO MAYOR WHEELER I THINK IF WE CAN SITE IT ON THE OTHER SIDE WE'LL BE GOOD.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: SO I WOULD RECOMMEND DEFERRAL UNTIL WE GET LOCATION WORKED OUT.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS? IF NONE, GO TO ITEM 10, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON AN OVERVIEW OF THE
[10. Receive, consider and act upon an overview of the Woodlands Water's Bear Branch drainage improvement project (as requested by Chairman Bunch);]
WOODLANDS WATER BEAR BRANCH DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.. MR. STINSON? JIM, YOU HAVE TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN BUNCH AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MANY OF YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE THAT WE HAV NUMEROUS STORMS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS THAT HAVE INUNDATED PROPERTI RESEARCH FROM THE BEAR BRANCH AREA UP THROUGH THE CAPSTONE NEIGHBOR THE INTERSECTION WITH GREEN BRIDGE.
IN PARTICULAR THE AREAS AROUND THE WOODLA SCHOOL HAVE BEEN IMPACTED NUMEROUS TIMES.
CAPSTONE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN IMPACTED N TIMES.
THE INTERSECTION NEAR THE BEAR BRANCH SOCCER FIELD IN RESEARCH HAS BEEN INUNDATED NUMEROUS TIMES.
DURING MANY OF THE EVENTS, HOMES HAVE EXPERIENCED FLOODING AND CERTAINLY SOME EXTENSIVE STREET PONDING IN NEIGHBORHOODS IN THIS AREA ALSO.
WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER A CONCEPTIONUAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WITH PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FROM THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO LOWER THE HIGH WATER ELEVATION IN A TYPICAL 100-YEAR EVENT.
SOMEWHERE BETWEEN CLOSE TO THREE FEET IN THE CAPSTONE NEIGHBORHOOD, ABOUT TWO AND A HALF FEET IN THE AREA OF THE WOODLANDS HIGH SCHOOL AND THE TWIN BERRY NEIGHBORHOOD AND NEAR THE BEAR BRANCH SOCCER FIELDS WHERE WE TYPICALLY HAVE THE ROAD GO THAT AREA.
WE HAVE FILLED OUT AN APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF FLOOD, THE NEW FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.
THE APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED ON MONDAY GRANT/GRANT-LOAN TO IMPLEMENT THIS IMPROVEMENT CONCEPT.
I'VE GOT ANOTHER SLIDE THAT I THINK IS AVAILABLE THAT WOULD GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT THE CROSS SECTION WOULD LOOK LIKE.
THIS IS AGAIN CONCEPTIONUAL RENDERING -- CONCEPTUAL RENDERING.
IT HAS TEN FOOT BOTTOM WIDTH, 20-FOOT PI MEANDERING THROUGH THE AREA.
THIS PROJECT WOULD INCREASE THAT TO ABOUT A 40-FOOT WIDTH.
ABOUT SIX FOOT BOTTOM WIDTH WITH THE 5: 1 SIDE SLOPE SO EXTRA ELEVATION THROUGH THE AREA TO IMPROVE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF BEAR BRANCH.
THIS CHANNEL MODIFICATION WOULD REQUIRE SOME DETENTION TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T ADVERSELY IMPACT DOWNSTREAM PROPERTIES OF THE PROJECT.
BUT WE HAVE HAD PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION WOODLANDS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY.
IF YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE FIRST SLIDE, PLEASE.
THE SHADED OR THE CROSSED HASH RED AREA W PROPOSED DETENTION AREAS WOULD BE LOCATED.
THESE ARE THE EXISTING FLOODPLAIN AREAS.
BUT IT WOULD NEED TO BE ACQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT.
67 IS CURRENTLY THE OF THIS GRANT.
THIS IS THE ABRIDGED PORTION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
IF WE ARE SELECTED WE WOULD COME BACK WITH A COMPLETE APPLICATION.
[01:40:01]
AND MY ANTICIPATION IS M.U.D.67 WOULD BE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL PARTNERS.
IT IS CLEAR THAT THE PROJECT WOULD BENEFIT AN AREA MUCH GREATER THAN JUST M.U.D.
THE FACT THAT RESEARCH FOREST WOULD REMA PASSIBLE TO EMERGENCY TRAFFIC AND TRAFFIC DURING THE MAJOR EVENTS WOULD BE A BIG BENEFIT FOR TRAFFIC CIRCULATION DURING THE MAJOR STORMS. WITH THAT BRIEF INTRODUCTION I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: SO, JIM, I THINK PART OF THE REQUEST I HAD, BECAUSE YOU ALREADY HAVE A PROJECT UNDERWAY FURTHER TO THE WEST BEAR BRANCH RESERVOIR.
IS THAT PROJECT CONNECTING TO THIS?
>> I THINK THE PROJECT THAT YOU ARE SEEING ACTIVITY ON NOW IS THE REHAB OF A LARGE UNDERGROUND SEWER LINE BACK IN THE BEAR FLOODPLAIN.
>> GORDY, THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON F IMPROVEMENTS BY THE RESERVOIR RIGHT NOW.
>> SO, WHAT I HAVE SEEN, BECAUSE I LIVE RIGHT THERE.
IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN, WHAT YOU ARE DISPLAYING HERE IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S BEEN DREDGING WIRE.
SO SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES IS HAPPENING.
I DON'T REALLY SEE A SEWER LINE BUT MAYBE IT'S JUST UNDERNEATH THE ROAD.
ANYTHING YOU SEE, ANY ACTIVITY IN THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO DRAINAGE.
SO DO WE KNOW -- IT MIGHT NOT BE TO YOU, MR. STINSON.
BUT STAFF, CAN WE GET UPDATE OF WHAT WORK IS BEING DONE THERE? I THOUGHT WE WERE DOING THAT TO TAKE THE OVERFLOW OF THE BEAR BRANCH RESERVOIR, DREDGED DEEPER TO DISBURSE THE WATER QUICKER GETTING KUYKENDAHL FLOODED AT THAT AREA.
>> JOHN, I MEAN, THAT WAS A SCHEDULED SANITARY SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT THAT SJRA HAVE HAD ON THE BOOKS FOR WHAT, JIM, THREE YEARS NOW?
>> BUT I BELIEVE THEY ARE UP- GAMING THE SEWER LINE WHICH WILL HELP IN SOME RESPECTS.
BUT IT'S NOT SPECIFICALLY A DRAINAGE RELATED PROJECT.
IT IS TO REHAB A FAILING LARGE, VERY LARGE SANITARY TRUMP SEWER THAT NEEDS TO BE REHABBED.
>> JUST SO THE BOARD KNOWS, I SIGN LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT AND ALSO FOR THE SPRING CREEK DETENTION, YOU KNOW, OR STUDY PROJECT.
THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THAT PROJE IDENTIFIED THERE MAY BE SOME, A SOLUTION UPSTREAM THAT COULD MAKE SIG IMPROVEMENT IN THE SPRING CREEK SITUATION AS WELL.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH, DIRECTOR RIESER, WERE THOSE ON BEHALF OF THE DRAINAGE TASK FORCE? OR ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD?
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: ON BEHALF OF THE DRAINAGE TASK FORCE.
>> GORDY DID SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE SPRING CREEK RESERVOIR PROJECT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD.
IT WAS CIRCULATED TO THE BOARD.
I JUST WANTED FOR CLARIFICATION.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> AGAIN, JUST EMPHASIZE SHOULD THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT BE SELECTED, WE WOULD, I WOULD COMING BACK TO YOUR BOARD FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND POSSIBLE FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION.
ALONG WITH I THINK MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND OTHER M.U.D.S AS WELL.
AND LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING HOW THAT GOES.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REPORT?
[11. Receive, consider and act upon a nomination to the Texas Water Development Board's regional flood planning group;]
THANK YOU, MR. STINSON.MOVING ON AGENDA ITEM 11, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A NOMINATION TO THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD'S REGIONAL FLOOD PLANNING GROUP.PAGES 44-55.
GIVEN THE LONG AGENDA WE STILL HAVE TO GO, I CAN GIVE A QUICK BRIEF.
[01:45:01]
I WANTED TO NOMINATE CHAIRMAN OF THE DRA TASK FORCE DIRECTOR BRUCE RIESER TO THE FLOOD PLANNING GROUP FOR THE SAN JACI RIVER BASIN.>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THIS IS A NEW POSITION THAT WAS OPENED UP AND WE WERE GIVEN AN POINT, TO APPOINT SOMEONE TO THAT NEW WATER BOA REGIONAL FLOODING PLANNING GROUP.
PREVIOUSLY WE HAD NOT HAD PERSON REPRESENTING THIS AREA.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I'M HAPPY TO SERVE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: OKAY, COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? IF NOT, WE HAVE, WE APPOINTED HIM TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DRAINAGE TASK FORCE.
SO IT MAKES SENSE TO LET HIM CONTINUE THE WORK WITH THE FLOOD PLANNING GROUP.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, RIESER, VOLUNTEERING FOR ADDITIONAL WORK.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I SHOULD ALSO REITERATE THAT DOES NOT PAY EITHER.
[12. Receive, consider and act upon an Annexation Agreement for a 50.5518 acre tract North of Indian Hill Road (C-2020-1036), and to include a Pathway Connector Agreement (C-2020-0135);]
NO.ITEM 12, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON AN ANNEXATION AGREEMENT FOR A 50.5518-ACRE TRACT NORTH OF INDIAN HILL ROAD AND TO INCLUDE A PATHWAY CONNECTOR AGREEMENT.
>> -- THESE ARE PAGES 56 TO 155.
I HOPE YOU DON'T GO THROUGH ALL 70 PAGES.
THIS IS A PROJECT WE PRE-APPROVED IN THE PAST PENDING M.U.D.
JOHN HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF PROVIDING THE BACKGROUND AND THE HISTORY TO DATE TO THIS MATTER IN THE MEETING MATERIAL INCLUDED.
THE ANNEXATION AGREEMENT THAT IS IN FRON BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION TONIGHT IS INTENDED TO ADDRESS A SEQUENCI EVENTS TO FACILITATE MOVING THIS ANNEXATION FORWARD.
TRENDMAKER HOMES AND TOLL UNDER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE FROM INDIAN HILL ROAD ESTATE.
THE TOWNSHIP HAS ALREADY IPSED A LETTER T HILLS ESTATE -- ISSUED A LETTER TO INDIAN HILLS ESTATE TO SET FORTH AN THE PROPERTY.
WE HAVE A TIME ISSUE WITH THE SERVICE AGREEMENT THAT REQUIRE THE PROPERTY BE WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP BEFORE THE COVENANTS CAN BE IMPOSED.
SO THEY HAVE CLEARED THE WAY FOR THE HURDLES THEY WILL NEED ONCE THEY ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY TO BE ABLE TO GET COVENANTS IMPOSED M.U.D.
386 ASSIGNED TO THEM TO MOVE FORWARD AND SATISFY ALL THE PREREQUISITES.
WHAT THEY SEEKING TONIGHT IS AN AGREEME TOWNSHIP TO ENSURE THE TOWNSHIP WILL PROPERTY ONCE THEY ACCOMPLISH THE PREREQUISITES.
THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN HERE FROM WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE FLAIR BUILDERS IN THE LETTER PRESENTED THEM IN 2018.
SO WE HAVE A FEW NEW DIRECTORS WHO MIGHT BEEN PART OF THE PRESENTATION.
DO YOU ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
IS THERE ANY ALLOCATION OF FUNDS RELATED IN THIS?
THIS IS GOING TO BE NEW TAX REVENUE FOR THE COMMUNITY AS THE PROPERTIES WILL BE VOLUNTARILY ANNEXING THEMSELVES IN THE BOUNDARIES.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY, HAS 386 HAS ACTUALLY ANNEXED THIS AREA?
>> 386 HAS NOT YET ANNEXED THE AREA.
I BELIEVE THE PLAN FOR TREND MAKER AND PETITION THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR THEIR CONCEPT TO ANNEX THE PROPERTY AFTER TH CLOSED ON THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: FOR CLARITY -- GO AHEAD.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THE CITY OF HOUSTON OBVIOUSLY ALREADY GIVEN US THE PERMISSION TO ANNEX THE TRACT OR WE WO HAVING THIS DISCUSSION.
>> THAT IS CORRECT, VICE-CHAIRMAN RIESER.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE R.P.A.
WITH THE CITY OF THE CITY HAS ALREADY CONCEPTED TO THE TOWNSHIP'S ANNEXATION OF THE PROPERTY.
386 WILL NEED TO GO THROUGH SIMILAR PR PETITIONING THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR CONSENT TO ANNEX IN TO THE M.U.D.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: SO OUR APPROVAL T CONTINGENT UPON ALL THE PREREQUISITES WE THE M.U.D.
386 EXCEPTIONS AND ADHERENCE TO THE COVENANTS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE
[01:50:02]
THROUGHOUT THE WOODLANDS.>> THAT IS CORRECT, CHAIRMAN BUNCH.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: EVERYBODY WANTS THIS ONE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: OPPOSED? THAT WILL CARRY.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: AND AGENDA ITEM 13, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A
[13. Receive, consider and act upon a Resolution adopting a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan;]
RESOLUTION ADOPTING TRANSPORTATION AGENCY SAFETY PLAN.. RUTH ANN?NEWLY MANDATED FOR 2020, THE FEDERAL TR ADMINISTRATION REQUIRES ALL GRAND RECIPIENTS OURSELVES TO DEVELOP SAFETY PLANS AS PART OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS. THIS RULE-BASED PLAN MUST COMPRISE OF PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES THAT ALIGN WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED BY THE FEDERAL RULE.
TXDOT PROVIDED THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP WITH CONSULTATION AND THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT TO CREATE THIS INAUGURAL PLAN.
THE TOWNSHIP SAFETY PLAN MUST BE FORMALL THROUGH RESOLUTION.
AND THEN UPDATED AND APPROVED ANNUALLY B BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
SO WE ASK THIS EVENING THAT YOU ACCEPT RESOLUTION OUR FIRST GO PLAN.
WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN IN ANOTHER 12 MONTHS F UPDATE.
DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS FOR RUTHANNE? IF WE HAVE NO QUESTIONS DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: OPPOSED? THAT WILL CARRY.
AGENDA ITEM 14, REC CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE
[14. Receive, consider and act upon a recommendation from the Audit Committee on the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the Single Audit Reports for the year ended December 31, 2019;]
AUDIT COMMITTEE ON THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT AND THE SINGLE AUDIT REPORTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 2019.. PAGES 166-296.LIGHT READING BUT WE'LL LET MONIQUE SHARP BRING IT HOME FOR US.
JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AUDIT REPORT.
BLAZEK & VETTERLING THE TOWNSHIP I AUDITORS MET WITH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE LAST WEEK ON JUNE 18 TO REVIEW THE REPORTS.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE ALL PRESENT AND THAT IS DIRECTOR BOB MILNER NAMED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, THE DIRECTOR DR. SHELLEY SEKULA-GIBBS, AND THE DIRECTOR JASON NELSON.
I JUST GAVE SOME HIGHLIGHTS HERE ON THE SCREEN THAT YOU CAN SEE.
THE SINGLE AUDIT REPORT IS REQUIRED TO THE TOWNSHIP'S RECEIPT OF THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION GRANTS FOR THE PARK AND AND THE TROLLEY PROGRAMS. THE AUDITOR'S INDICATED THAT THEY WILL ISSUE UNQUALIFIED OPINION, REFERRED TO AS A CLEAN OPINION, WHICH IS THE GOAL OF ANY AUDIT.
HAVE THE EXACT LANGUAGE LISTED ON THE SCR YOU.
THERE WERE NO FINANCIAL FINDINGS BY THE TOWNSHIP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OR BY THE F.T.A.
AUDITORS IN THE 2019 TRIANUEL REVIEW.
EVERY THREE YEARS AND THE LAST ONE FOR TH WAS CONDUCTED LAST YEAR.
THE AUDIT REPORT DOES NOTE ONE FINDING RE PROCUREMENT.
WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY IDENTIFIED IN THE F.T.A.
SO THE STAFF WAS AWARE OF THIS MATTER.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE TOWNSH TRANSPORTATION STAFF WITH THE F.T.A.
JUST IN GENERAL, IT HAS TO DO WITH THE T CONSULTING SERVICES CONTRACT.
WHICH EXPIRED IN 2019 AND RENEWED FOR ONE YEAR PERIOD WITH EXISTING TERMS FOR ORIGINAL CONTRACT.
IT WAS PROCURED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS BUT IT THEY STATE IT REQUIRES A COST ADDITION BE PERFORMED AND DOCUMENTED IN CON JUNCTION WITH THE RENEWAL.
THAT IS THE STEP THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
IN TERMS OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT, WHICH WE REFER TO AS THE CAFR.
AGAIN, AUDITORS WILL ISSUE UNQUALIFIED OPINION, A CLEAN OPINION.
THE AUDITORS ALSO STATED TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS THERE WERE NO ADJUSTMENTS RECORDED AS A RESULT OF THE AUDIT.
NO DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN PERFORMING OR COMPLETING THE AUDIT.
THERE WERE NO DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE M REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF
[01:55:03]
GENERALLY ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES OR AUDITING STANDARDS.DOWN THERE LISTED BELOW WAS THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE AUDIT COMMITTEE TO ACCEPT THE REPORT.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION FROM THE AUDIT COMMITTEE?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ANY QUESTIONS FROM ANY OF THE DIRECTORS? IF NONE, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ANY OPPOSED? THAT WILL CARRY.
GO TO AGENDA ITEM 15, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE FINANCIAL REPORT..
[15. Receive, consider and act upon the financial report;]
MONIQUE, YOU ARE STILL ON.WE'LL BRING UP A SLIDE TO SHARE ON THE SCREEN.
I'LL GIVE A BRIEF FINANCIAL REPORT TONIGHT.
THIS IS FOR THE FIVE MONTHS ENDED MAY 2020.
SO, STARTING WITH THE REVENUES ON A YEAR- BASIS THE BUDGETED REVENUES WERE $71.1 MILLION.
THE ACTUAL REVENUES WERE $71.6 MILLION.
RESULTING IN A FAVORABLE REVENUE VA $502,000.
ON THE FAR RIGHT SIDE COLUMN YOU CAN SEE THE COMPONENTS OF THAT.
SO THROUGH MAY WE WERE STILL POSITIVE WITH THE SALES TAX REVENUES AT $376,000.
THE LARGEST VARIANCE YOU SEE THERE IS THE $2 MILLION IN THE PROPERTY TAX.
THAT IS RELATED TO THE OXIDANTAL TERMINATION AGREEMENT, THE REVENUE THAT THE TOWNSHIP RECEIVED FROM THAT.
ONE OF THE LARGEST UNFAVORABLE VARIANCES ARE THE PROGRAM REVENUES WHICH RELATE TO AQUATIC AND THE RECREATION PROGRAMS. NEGATIVE $1.5 MILLION DUE TO THE CLOSURE OF OUR PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES RELATED TO COVID-19.
HOWEVER, $1 MILLION OF THE REVENUES ARE OFFSET BY THE CORRESPONDING DECREASES IN EXPEND SURES -- EXPENDURES.
TOTAL EXPENDITURES WERE $39.7 MILLION ON BASIS.
RESULTING IN A FAVORABLE VARIANCE OF $4.2 MILLION.
THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF THAT ARE $1.5 M FAVORABLE VARIANCE IN PARKS AND RECREATION.
$1 MILLION IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: NEXT PAGE DOWN, RIGHT?
ABOUT ANOTHER $1.5 MILLION IN OTHER DEPAR COMBINED.
AND AGAIN, THIS WAS AN EFFORT BY STAFF A BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO START REALLY P THE EXPENSES WHERE IT MADE SENSE.
THAT IS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
IF WE GO TO THE NEXT PAGE, PLEASE.
WHICH WE HAVE BEEN CONCENTRATING ON.
WE ARE ALREADY 100% COLLECTED IN PROPERTY REVENUES SO THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE A CONCERN FOR US FOR THE 2020 CALENDAR YEAR.
BUT WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING SALES TAX REVENUES.
YOU CAN SEE FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, WHICH RELATES TO APRIL ACTIVITY BECAUSE WE ARE A ON A TWO-MONTH LAG ON THE SALES TAX DEPOSITS.
THE MONTH OF JUNE WE DID SEE $1 MILLION DECREASE IN REVENUES COMPARED TO BUDGET.
AT THE BOTTOM ON THE YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS WE ARE $25.4 MILLION COLLECTED.
WE ARE 1.9% OFF FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND ONLY 2.7%, $700,000 BELOW BUDGET.
WE HAVE THE BUDGET TASK FORCE THAT WAS FORMED.
IT'S BEEN CLOSELY MONITORING THIS ALONG WITH STAFF.
THEN THIS BOARD HAS SEEN SOME OF THE REP THIS.
JUST VERY QUICKLY GOING DOWN TO THE NEXT SLIDE, GOING TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA ON THE COMPONENTS MAKING UP THE SALES TAX REVENUE.
WE ARE IN RETAIL, EVEN THOUGH IN RETAIL W A BIG HIT FOR THE APRIL ACTIVITY.
OVERALL, WE ARE ONLY DOWN FOR THE YEAR BY $206,000.
LARGELY THE REASON THAT WE ARE FAIRLY FLAT IN THIS IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN ABOUT A $1 MILLION INCREASE IN INTERNET SALES.
SO DECREASES IN THE BRICK AND THE MORTAR LARGELY OFFSET BY THE INCREASE IN THE SALES.
SO THAT IS VERY SIGNIFICANT FOR US.
THEN FOOD SERVICES, THE NEXT CATEGORY, WHERE WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOME SALES TAX
[02:00:09]
LOSS AND THEN OIL AND GAS, WHICH WE ALL EXPECTED.JUST WANT TO SHOW YOU ALTHOUGH ON THE SAL ALWAYS, PEOPLE TEND TO THINK OF THAT IN TERMS OF RETAIL AND RESTAURANTS.
THE TOWNSHIP ENJOYS MANY DIFFERENT COMPONENTS.
MANY DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATIONS OF SALES TAX.
SO OUR LOSSES IN RETAIL AND RESTAURANTS ARE BEING BUOYED BY OTHER CATEGORIES THAT YOU SEE HERE.
INFORMATION, MANUFACTURING, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND WHOLESALE TRADE.
THEY ARE ALL RUNNING FAVORABLE VARIANCES YEAR.
I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ANY QUESTIONS FOR MONIQUE? ALL RIGHT.
IF THERE IS NO QUESTIONS DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE FINANCIAL REPORT?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: OPPOSED? THAT WILL CARRY.
[16. Recess to Executive Session to discuss matters relating to real property pursuant to §551.072, Texas Government Code; deliberation of economic development negotiations pursuant to §551.087, Texas Government Code; discuss personnel matters pursuant to §551.074, Texas Government Code; discuss IT network or critical infrastructure security pursuant to §551.089, Texas Government Code; and to consult with The Woodlands Township’s attorney pursuant to §551.071, Texas Government Code;]
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WE ARE NOW GOING TO RECESSION TO EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO PROPERTY PURSUANT TO ♪551.072, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE; DELIBERATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO ♪551.087, TEXAS CODE; DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS PURSUANT TO ♪551.074 TEXAS GOVERNMENT DISCUSS I.T.
NETWORK OR INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY PURSUANT TO ♪551.089, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE; AND TO CONSULT WITH THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP'S ATTORNEY PURSUANT TO ♪551.071, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.WE RECESSED.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I AM JUST WAITING TO SEE FRIENDS' FACES.
DID WE LOSE JOHN AND -- ALL RIGHT.
WE ARE RECONVENING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[17. Reconvene in public session;]
GO TO AGENDA ITEM ACTUALLY 19.THERE IS NO ACTION TO TAKE ON AGENDA ITEM 18.
ITEM 19, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE
[19. Receive, consider and act upon approval of Employment Agreement for President/General Manager;]
PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER.SO, IF EVERYONE WILL STICK WITH ME, WE HAVE THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR DON NORRELL.
DON NORRELL'S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF JUNE AND HE HAS GRACIOUSLY AGREED TO EXTEND YET AGAIN UP TO SEPTEMBER 6 TO CONTINUE ON AS OUR PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER.
AS WE MOVE ON TO HIRING A REPLACEMENT WHO WILL START ON OR BEFORE, OR ON OR AT LEAST BY AUGUST 31.
SO WE WILL NOT HAVE A GAP IN THE LEADERSHIP POSITION.
MR. NORRELL IS AN AMAZING MAN WHO HAS AG CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AS WE LOOK BOARD OUR NEW GENERAL MANAGER CLOSER TO THE FALL.
EVERY DIRECTOR WAS PROVIDED A COPY OF THE AMENDMENT TO HIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.
MOTION TO APPROVE? YOU ARE MAKING THE MOTION.
WOULD SOMEBODY SECOND THAT? I THINK IT'S DR. SNYDER.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: THANK YOU.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ALL IN FAVOR OF EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL MANAGER NORRELL'S CONTRACT, SAY AYE?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THERE HE IS.
WE ARE HUMBLED BY YOUR AWESOMENESS TO CONTINUE TO REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITY.
OUR SECOND AGREEMENT WE NEED TO APPROVE IS FOR OUR NEW PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER WHO WILL START WITH US NO LATER THAN AUGUST 31, 2020, FOR MR. JEFF JONES.
THIS AGREEMENT WAS ALSO PROVIDED TO THE BOARD FOR REVIEW.
I AM MAKING A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR JEFF JONES TO BE OUR SECOND TOWNSHIP PRESIDENT AND GENE MANAGER NO LATER AN AUGUST 30, 2020.
WE HAVE NOW RESOLVED OUR PRESIDENT A MANAGER TRANSITION PLAN.
AND NEAR IMPOSSIBILITY TO TRY TO FIND SO REPLACE THE LARGE SHOES OF DON NORRELL.
WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE FOR THE 14, ALMOST 15 YEARS -- IF YOU STAY AROUND LONG ENOUGH WE MIGHT GET TO 15 YEARS OF SERVICE COMMUNITY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING JEFF AND HIS WIFE TO THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY.
HE WILL COME DOWN AND SPEND TIME WITH US BEFORE THE OFFICIAL START DATE.
[02:05:03]
AS INDICATED TODAY AN INTEREST IN HELPING PARTICIPATING AS MUCH AS HE CAN WHILE HE TRANSITIONS FROM MESQUITE TO THE WOODLANDS.I DON'T THINK -- DO I HAVE TO DO THE CONSULTING? YES.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE JEFF IS ACTUALLY GOING TO JOIN US.
AND SAY A FEW WORDS NOW THAT HE IS OFFICIAL.
THERE'S JEFF! JEFF, YOU ARE ON MUTE RIGHT NOW.
YOU ARE FREE TOWN MUTE YOURSELF.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
I'M VERY GRATEFUL, I AM HUMBLED AND HONORED TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER.
AS I SAID IN THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, T TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AN AMAZING COMMUNITY.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW EXCITED MY FAMILY AND I ARE TO COME DOWN TO BE PART OF THE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY.
SERVE THE GREAT PEOPLE OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I'M REALLY EXCITED TO GET STARTED.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THANK YOU, JEFF.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WELL, WE CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU DOWN AND GETTING TO KNOW YOU MORE AS YOU TRANSITION IN.
I'M SURE DON WILL BE ABLE TO TEACH YOU THE ROPES.
WE STILL HAVE DON ON A CONSULTING AGREEMENT THAT WILL PICK UP WHERE THE EMPLOYMENT EXTENDS ENDS SO WE'LL HAVE GOOD TIM BOTH OF YOU TO COMMUNICATE AND TRANSITION.
LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING THAT COLLABORATION OCCUR.
SO IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 19? MAKE SURE I DOTTED MY "I"S AND CROSSED MY "T"S.
WE APPRECIATE YOU, JEFF, BEING HERE TONIGHT.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THE COMMUNITY SOON.
WE WILL GO TO AGENDA ITEM 20 NOW.
WHICH IS CONSIDERATION FOR FUTURE ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY TONIGHT YOU CAN AL THOSE TO STAFF.
[21. Board announcements; and]
THEN ANY BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS?>> I WOULD LIKE TO JUST MAKE A COMMENT IF MR. CHAIRMAN.
I KNOW YOU ADDRESSED THIS AT THE VERY BEGINNING.
BUT OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE HEALTHCARE WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PANDEMIC.
I KNOW WE OFFERED FOOD, PRAYERS.
I WANTED TO ONCE AGAIN REITERATE WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER.
FROM THE HEALTHCARE C.E.O.S OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE AS LEADERS ENCOURAGE WEARING MASKS, SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND ALSO GOOD HAND HYGIENE.
THIS IS A CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW.
WE NEED TO AS LEADERS IN THIS COMMUNITY SUPPORT WHAT OUR HEALTHCARE OFFICIALS ARE ASKING.
>> GORDY, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD MY VOICE TO YOURS AND THE BOARD AND SINCERELY THANK DON FOR STICKING AROUND FOR ANOTHER MONTHS TO HELP US OUT.
I MEAN IT REALLY IS STAGGERING TO ME GIVEN LONG SERVICE TO THE TOWNSHIP THAT NOT ONCE BUT TWICE HAS HE STEPPED UP.
AND I KNOW, I KNOW HE IS PROBABLY HAD PRESSURE FROM VICKY, YOU KNOW, TO QUIT.
I JUST WANT TO THANK DON PERSONALLY PERSONALLY FOR HANGING ON AND HELPING US MAKE THIS TRANSITION.
I MEANS A LOT TO ME, PERSONALLY.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK MR. NORRELL FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE.
SO THAT WE COULD OBTAIN A HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND GREAT ADDITION TO THE TOWNSHIP BOARD IN MR. JONES.
ALSO, I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE P DEPARTMENT, PARKS AND
[02:10:05]
RECREATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED ANOTHER THE LONG SERIES OF AWARDS.THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED LATER ON BUT IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION TODAY THAT THEY RECEIVED THE NATIONAL INNOVATION AND CONSERVATION AWARD.
FOR THAT I WANT TO APPLAUD THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT AND ALL THE TOWNSHIP AS WELL.
ANY OTHER BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS? ALL RIGHT.
THE LAST ONE I WOULD ADD IS WE DO HAVE SOME 4TH OF JULY ACTIVITIES THAT TOWNSHIP IS SPONSORING.
WHILE WE WON'T HAVE THE PARADE AND THE NO HOT AND BLUE FESTIVAL WE HAVE FIREWORKS.
THE FIREWORKS MOVED TO THE LONE STAR COLLEGE CAMPUS.
THERE WILL BE AMPLE PARKING IN PROXIMITY TO THE CAMPUS, AND ACROSS THE STREET.
MR. WOLDA HAS COMMITTED TO AN EXCELLENT FIREWORKS SHOW.
SO EXPECT NOTHING LESS THAN THAT.
IT WILL ALSO BE LIVE STREAMED AND PRESENT ST. LUKE'S, THE WOODLANDS HOSPITAL.
WE CAN'T THANK THEM ENOUGH FOR THEIR, NOT JUST CARING FOR THE CITIZENS BUT ALSO CARING ABOUT SPONSORING THE 4TH OF JULY.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, MAY I SAY ONE MORE THING QUICKLY.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO NOT ONLY OF COURSE THANK MR. NORRELL FOR STAYING BUT ALSO NICK WOLDA AND HIS TEAM ARE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB.
BRUCE AND JOHN AND I WERE AT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE PUTTING THAT TOGETHER RIGHT BEFORE THE 6:00 BOARD MEETING.
HE DOES AT LEAST ANY OF THE POWER POINTS THAT I HAVE, AND ON ALL THE COVID-19 UPDATES HE AND HIS TEAM HAVE DONE SUPERB JOB.
SO I SHOULD HAVE RECOGNIZED HIM DURING MY REPORT.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: NOT A PROBLEM.
WE WILL NOW GO WITH A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
ALL IN FAVOR OF ADJOURNMENT, SAY AYE.
WE WILL SEE YOU ALL NEXT MONTH.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.