Jun 23, 2021 Board of Directors Regular Meeting Agenda

[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;]

[00:00:06]

DIRECTORS MEETING. WE'RE GOING TO START TONIGHT WITH AN INVOCATION FROM FATHER TOM RAFFERTY.

HE'S SERVED IN THE WOODLANDS FOR 13 YEARS.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO PLACE OURSELF IN GOD'S PRESENCE. LOVING, GRACIOUS, GENEROUS FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU AND TO RECEIVE ALL OF THE GIFTS YOU HAVE GIVEN US, ESPECIALLY IN THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY WE CALL HOME.

WE THANK YOU ALSO FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE ESPECIALLY ON THE TOWNSHIP BOARD AND ALL WHO WORK HARD TO MAKE THIS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE. WE ASK YOU TONIGHT TO LET YOUR WISDOM BE OUR WISDOM, YOUR INSIGHT BE OUR INSIGHT, AND YOUR COURAGE BE OUR COURAGE. IN YOUR HOLY NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

>> AMEN. >> LET'S NOW SAY THE PLEDGE TO

THE FLAGS. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS.

ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

[2. Call meeting to order;]

>> OKAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, STATE LAW REQUIRES AT LEAST FOUR DIRECTORS BE IN ATTENDANCE. I'LL TAKE ROLL.

DIRECTOR BROWN. >> HERE.

>> DIRECTOR MILLER. >> HERE.

[3. Receive, consider and act upon adoption of the meeting agenda;]

DIRECTOR SNIDER. >> PRESENT.

>> WE HAVE SIX OF THE SEVEN. WE ARE READY TO MOVE ON WITH OUR AGENDA ITEM. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE REQUESTS TO PULL. SO I WILL PREEMPT THE ARGUMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. 9D.

SEVERAL DIRECTORS REQUESTED WE PULL THAT.

SO WITHOUT 9D, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF

THE AGENDA? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL NOW GO TO AGENDA ITEM FOUR.

RECOGNIZING PUBLIC OFFICIALS. WE HAD NO PUBLIC OFFICIALS SIGN UP. DO WE HAVE ANY ELECTED OFFICIALS HIDING IN THE AUDIENCE? ALL RIGHT, NONE.

WE'LL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM FIVE, PUBLIC COMMENT.

[5. Public comment;]

AND WE WILL ASK EACH PERSON SPEAKING TO TRY TO KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO AROUND THREE MINUTES.

AND WE WILL START WITH JENNIFER LAHAY.

THANK YOU, JENNIFER. >> HI.

I WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU GUYS. I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT Y'ALL ARE CONSIDERING IT ABOUT CHANGING THE POSITION OF E-BIKES ON PATHWAYS.

MY HUSBAND AND WE HAVE A JUST TURNED 3-YEAR-OLD JUST RECENTLY DOWNSIZED AND WE CHOSE THE WOODLANDS AS OUR PLACE TO RELOCATE TO. WE'RE RIGHT AT THE LANE OFF THE WATERWAY. IT'S SUCH A NICE AREA AND I QUIT MY JOB TO STAY HOME AND HOPEFULLY HAVE ANOTHER ONE AND I HAD ALL OF THESE VISIONS ABOUT JETTING AROUND WITH MY SON ON THE BACK OF AN E-BIKE AND TAKING HIM TO THE LIBRARY AND ALL OF THE WONDERFUL PLACES HERE IN THE WOODLANDS BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I DID MY RESEARCH. SO I LOOKED UP TO SEE WHAT THE CLASSIFICATIONS ARE FOR E-BIKES AND WHAT'S ALLOWED.

WE EVEN WENT AND RENTED SOME IN GALVESTON TO GET A FEELING FOR IT. AND WE PURCHASED TWO AND I WAS SO EXCITED AND I HAD LOOKED AT THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE ALLOWED AND THE WORDING WAS REALLY CONFUSING AND I SAW ABOUT A WEEK AFTER WE PURCHASED THEM THAT THERE WAS AN ARTICLE THAT CAME OUT TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY'RE REALLY NOT

[00:05:01]

I SAID I'M A RULE FOLLOWER, I WANT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT BUT I FEEL SAFER ON AN E-BIKE WITH MY SON THAN I WOULD ON A REGULAR BIKE. I LOOKED UP PATHWAYS ABOUT GOING ON ROADS AND YOU GUYS KNOW THERE'S SOME REALLY CRAZY DRIVERS. SO IT WAS A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT.

WHY I FEEL LIKE IT'S SAFER FOR MY SON TO BE ON AN E-BIKE WITH ME THAN A REGULAR BIKE, WE HAVE SOMETHING CALLED PEDAL ASSIST ON E-BIKES AND BASICALLY THAT'S JUST GIVING YOU A LITTLE EXTRA BOOST AND YOU CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF THAT.

SO YOU WANT PEDAL ASSIST ONE, EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE PEDALS THE WHEEL TURNS ONE EXTRA TIME. WHAT'S NICE ABOUT AN E-BIKE IS IT IS TELLING YOU HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING AT ALL TIMES.

THEY ARE VERY SAFE, AS SAFE AS A REGULAR BICYCLE, BUT THEY GIVE YOU MORE FREEDOM TO RIDE IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH MOTION, WITH MOVEMENT OF YOUR LEGS. IF YOU'RE OLDER, MOST OF E-BIKE RIDERS ARE ACTUALLY OLDER PEOPLE WANTING TO GET ACTIVE AGAIN.

BUT IT'S BEEN GREAT FOR MY HUSBAND AND I, BUT WE DON'T FEEL SAFE AND WE CAN'T RIDE ON THE PATHWAYS AND REALLY IT'S A MATTER OF SAFETY. A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE E-BIKES GO TOO FAST AND THEY'RE NOT TOO SAFE.

WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO IS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

WHEN I'M RIDING OUT WITH MY SON, I'M NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES.

IF THERE'S A LOT OF CROWDS, I'M SLOWING DOWN, I'M NOT GOING FAST. WE'VE ACTUALLY BEEN PASSED SEVERAL TIMES BY REGULAR BIKERS. I MEAN THERE'S SOME PROFESSIONAL BIKERS THAT CAN GO UP TO 20 MILES AN HOUR OR MORE.

SO WE'RE NOT DOING THAT. WE'RE BEING VERY SAFE AND CAUTIOUS AND ALWAYS CONSTANTLY AWARE OF OUR SPEED AND HOW FAST WE'RE GOING. SO I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MOMS IN THE COMMUNITY, YOU'VE GOT OLDER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WOULD LIKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO RIDE THEIR E-BIKES AS WELL AS A REGULAR BIKE.

SO THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

NEXT UP WILL BE KENTON AGGER. >> MY NAME IS KENTON AGERT, AND AS YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN HERE SEVERAL TIMES TALKING ABOUT THE FRANCHISE FEES IMPOSED AND GET FOLKS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT UTILITIES DO NOT ABSORB FRANCHISE FEES, THEY ARE PASSED DIRECTLY THROUGH TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS IN YOUR UTILITY BILL. WITH THAT INTRODUCTION, I WANT TO START OFF GORDY BUNCH ASKED MS. SHARP ABOUT HOW MUCH SALES TAX, $0.01 OF SALES TAX RAISED FOR THE TOWNSHIP AT THE LAST MEETING AND I THINK SHE SAID 2.3 MILLION.

BUT I'M GOING TO ASK A RHETORICAL QUESTION, WHAT DOES SALES TAX COLLECTIONS HAVE TO DO WITH FRANCHISE FEES, AND THE ANSWER IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. NOW I HAVE GIVEN YOU A HANDOUT.

I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH TRYING TO COME UP WITH A NUMBER TO CALCULATE WHAT MY TAX LIABILITY IS GOING TO BE.

SO I FOUND BUDA, TEXAS. IT'S PRONOUNCED "BYUDA "BUT IT'S BUDA. IF YOU LOOK AT BUDA, B-U-D-A FRANCHISE FEES, YOU CAN FIND A PRESS RELEASE THEIR CITY COUNCIL PUT OUT. IT'S A ONE PAGE PRESS RELEASE AND IT'S VERY GOOD IN EXPLAINING WHAT FRANCHISE FEES ARE, WHY THEY'RE COLLECTED. AND I JUST WANT TO SUMMARIZE THEY HAVE JUST INCREASED JUST THEIR ELECTRIC FRANCHISE FEE FROM 2% TO 4.5%. AND THEY SENT OUT A PRESS RELEASE AND A NOTICE TO ALL OF THEIR CITIZENS THAT IT WAS COMING AND HOW MUCH THEIR BILL WAS GOING TO COME UP.

I WANT TO POINT OUT ONE THING IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO READ THIS.

IT SAYS IN THE SECOND PARAGRAPH LAST SENTENCE, THE FRANCHISE FEE AMOUNT IS PASSED DIRECTLY TO CONSUMERS AND IS TYPICALLY SHOWN AS A DISCREET LOCAL FEE ON THE CUSTOMER'S BILL.

WELL I'VE CALCULATED IF Y'ALL CHARGE ME 4.5%, MY ELECTRIC BILL TOTAL FOR A YEAR IS ABOUT $3,000.

SO IF I GET CHARGED 4.5%, THAT'S $135 JUST IN ELECTRIC FRANCHISE FEES THAT I WILL BE PAYING. MY HOUSE IS APPRAISED AT ABOUT $450,000. 1% OF MY APPRAISAL OR $0.01 PER

[00:10:03]

SO I AT THE LAST MEETING SAY I CALCULATED THAT MY COST OF MY FRANCHISE FEE IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE ABOUT $0.06 IN ADDITION WHEN I EQUATE IT BACK TO TAX RATE.

SO I THINK YOU ALL NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS FRANCHISE FEE OF $7 MILLION IS NOT GOING TO BE PAID BY THE UTILITIES.

THEY DON'T CARE WHAT NUMBER. AND I THINK, I HAVEN'T DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH YET, BUT I THINK THERE'S A STATUTORY LIMIT OF $0.05 OR 5%, EXCUSE ME, 5%. SO AND THE OTHER THING WAS, DID MY BUZZER GO OFF? OKAY.

ANYWAY, YOU'VE GOT A REAL PROBLEM WITH COMCAST AS YOU KNOW, THEY'RE STILL PAYING A FRANCHISE FEE TO THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY AND YOU CAN'T DOUBLE DIP.

I'VE ALREADY GOTTEN FAIRLY HIGH IN COMCAST AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE A CONTRACT THAT HAS SEVERAL YEARS TO RUN AND THEY'RE NOT INTERESTED IN BREAKING IT.

AS A BUSINESSMAN, YOU'D BE INTERESTED, YOU'D THINK THAT AT&T WOULD BE RAISING THE ROOF BECAUSE OR COMCAST WOULD BE RAISING THE ROOF BECAUSE AT&T ISN'T PAYING A FRANCHISE FEE AND COMCAST IS CHARGING 5%. THAT'S ANOTHER $11 A MONTH.

BUT ANYWAY BEFORE THIS INCORPORATION THING GETS TOO FAR AND TELL PEOPLE THAT FRANCHISE FEES ARE SOMETHING THAT THE UTILITY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PAY, THAT IS NOT TRUE.

IT'S GOING TO BE PASSED RIGHT ON THROUGH TO THE RESIDENTS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS.

MY NAME IS MARYANN BRAID, I'M A MEMBER OF THE ALDON BRIDGE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION, A MEMBER OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL, AND I SERVED ON THE BICYCLE STEERING COMMITTEE WHICH PROVIDED INPUT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 2016 PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE PLAN. I'M SPEAKING HERE TONIGHT AS AN INDIVIDUAL. I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS EVENING AS YOU CONTINUE THE PROPOSAL TO ALLOW E-BIKES TO RIDE ON THE TRAILS. WHEN THE PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE STEERING GROUP MET, WE CONSIDERED ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE WHO USE THE TRAILS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE LOOKED AT THE COMPETITIVE BICYCLISTS WHO RACE FOR SPEED AND TIME, THOSE WHO RIDE FOR ENJOYMENT, THOSE WHO USE THE TRAILS FOR WALKING THEIR DOGS, CHILDREN ON THE WAY TO PLAY AT THE PARKS OR AT THE SCHOOL, DISABLED INDIVIDUALS AND OLDER INDIVIDUALS WALKING FOR EXERCISE.

E-BIKES DID NOT EXIST AT THAT TIME, SO THEY HAD NO OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR OPINIONS INCLUDED IN THE PLAN.

I OFTEN SEE YOUNGSTERS LEARNING TO RIDE THEIR BIKES, FAMILY WALKING WITH CHILDREN AND STROLLERS, PEOPLE WALKING THEIR DOGS, PEOPLE RUNNING AND THOSE WHO ARE WALKING FOR EXERCISE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ALL CAPABILITIES ON THE TRAIL.

I BELIEVE THAT VEHICLES RIDING UP TO 20 MILES AN HOUR IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON THE TRAIL.

THAT SPEED IS SO MUCH FASTER THAN ANYONE ELSE THAT'S ON A TRAIL. A PERSON RIDING A BIKE TRAVELS ABOUT 8 TO 12 MILES AN HOUR. I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE DIRECTORS TO CONSIDER SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS.

SOME PEOPLE LISTEN TO EAR BUDS AND CANNOT HEAR ANYTHING COMING UP BEHIND THEM, THERE ARE YOUNG CHILDREN LEARNING TO RIDE AND EVERYONE ON THE TRAIL DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE.

WHEN GOING AS FAST AS 20 MILES AN HOUR, THERE IS A DANGER AT EVERY INTERSECTION AND EVERY EXIT FROM ADDITION.

NOT ALL CARS STOP BEFORE THE CROSSWALK, NOR DO THEY CHECK THE TRAIL WHEN THEY ARE TURNING TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT.

IF THE PEOPLE ON THE TRAIL DO NOT STOP EVERY TIME IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SIGNS ON THE TRAILS, THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TIME AND LINE OF SIGHT TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.

THE COMPETITIVE BICYCLISTS WHO RIDE FOR SPEED AND TIME RECOGNIZED THE TRAILS WERE NOT SUITABLE TO THEM.

WE MADE MANY CHANGES TO THE EXISTING ROAD AND THE BUILDING OF DESIGNATED BIKE LANES THROUGHOUT THE WOODLANDS.

THE STEERING COMMITTEE DEVELOPED ABOUT 70 PROJECTS TO MAKE OUR

[00:15:02]

PLEASE LET ME REFER TO A PART OF THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE PEDESTRIAN BICYCLE PLAN WHICH STATES THAT THE CURRENT PATHWAYS ARE GREAT FOR MORE LEISURELY RECREATIONAL OR UTALITARIAN ACTIVITIES. IF A PERSON NEEDS TO GET TO AND FROM A DESTINATION WITH A MORE DIRECT ROUTE, THE EXISTING PATHWAYS ARE NOT CONDUCIVE FOR HIGH SPEEDS OR FOR QUICK ACCESS TO DESTINATION. I WOULD LIKE TO CONCLUDE BY SAYING THAT THE RIDING OF E-BIKES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE A PART OF THE BICYCLING COMMUNITY IN THE TOWNSHIP.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS FOR ALL RESIDENTS THAT THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RIDE ON THE TRAILS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING TO MY COMMENTS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MARYANN.

NEXT UP WILL BE CT GOODING. >> GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS CT GOODING. I'M PRESIDENT OF BIKE THE WOODLANDS COALITION. TONIGHT'S TOPIC IS IN REGARDS TO THE HOT TOPIC OF E-BIKES. BEFORE I GET TO THAT, I WANT TO THANK THE TOWNSHIP STAFF AND THE BOARD FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES IN MAY FOR BIKE MONTH.

A GREAT SUCCESS SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

ALSO CONGRATULATIONS ON OUR RECENT NUMBER ONE BEST CITY TO LIVE ON NICHE.COM. I SAW SEVERAL REVIEWS ON THE SITE MENTION OUR GREAT PATHWAY SYSTEM AND I BELIEVE THAT'S ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO OUR HIGH RANKING.

WHEN IT COMES TO PERMITTING E-BIKES ON THE PATHWAY, WE SUPPORT A CHANGE TO ALLOW E-BIKES ON THE PATHWAYS.

THIS POSITION IS SUPPORTED BY TEXAS STATE LAW AND ALIGNS WITH POLICIES SEEN IN MANY BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES AND CITIES INCLUDING THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AUSTIN, AND BOULDER, COLORADO.

E-BIKES ARE VALUED IN THESE COMMUNITIES.

FOR THE AUSTIN BIKE SHARING PROGRAM THEY ADDED E-BIKES TO P.

WE RECEIVED A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS, MOSTLY POSITIVE BUT ALSO SOME CONCERNS AS WE'VE HEARD TONIGHT AROUND SPEED AND SAFETY. OVERALL THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU SEE IN NATIONWIDE STUDIES ON E-BIKES.

A 2018 NATIONWIDE STUDY OF NEARLY 1800 NEW E-BIKE OWNERS FOUND THAT ELECTRIC ASSIST BICYCLES MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR MORE PEOPLE TO RIDE A BICYCLE AND ALSO DO LONGER TRIPS.

MANY USERS FEEL SAFER AS WE HEARD FROM JENNIFER TONIGHT BECAUSE OF THEIR INCREASED COMPETENCE GETTING THROUGH LARGE INTERSECTIONS OR WIDE TERRAIN. THERE'S ALSO POSITIVE BENEFITS OF E-BIKES BECAUSE SOMEONE IS USING IT MORE FREQUENTLY OR LONGER. AS WE KNOW THEIR SAFETY, SPEED, CROWDING, AND USER CONFLICT CONCERNS AROUND BIKING IN GENERAL AND OFTEN THIS IS HEIGHTENED CONCERNS WHEN IT COMES TO E-BIKES. RESEARCH SHOWS THOUGH THAT EXPERIENCE WITH E-BIKES INFORMS PEOPLE'S PERCEPTIONS ON THEM.

STUDIES SHOW TRAIL USERS WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH E-BIKES EXPRESS A PREFERENCE NOT TO SHARE A TRAIL WITH THEM.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE MAJORITY DO NOT EVEN NOTICE THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY USING A TRAIL WITH E-BIKES RIDING ON THEM.

I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TODAY IN THE WOODLANDS.

YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE RIDING E-BIKES AND OTHERS ARE NOT AWARE THAT THEY ARE ON THE TRAIL AND BEING USED.

ONCE THESE TRAIL USERS ARE EXPOSED TO E-BIKES, THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THEM DECREASE GREATLY.

THE SHARED USE PATHWAY SHOULD BE SAFE FOR ALL USERS AND E-BIKE USERS ARE NO EXCEPTION. THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE SAFE ON THE TRAILS. TO MAKE THIS MORE EXPLICIT AND TO ADDRESS SAFETY AND SPEED CONCERNS WHICH I THINK WE ALL HOLD, WE WOULD SUPPORT CHANGING THE PATHWAY CURRENT POLICY THAT'S REASONABLE OR SAFE SPEED TO A MORE EXPLICIT 15 MILES PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT ON THE PATHWAYS TO HELP MITIGATE SPEED ISSUES.

THIS WOULD ALIGN WITH SPEED LIMITS THAT WE SEE ON OTHER TRAILS LIKE THE SPRING CREEK GREENWAY TRAIL.

IF THE BOARD FEELS ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK IS NEEDED BY THE RESIDENTS, WE SUGGEST PROVIDING A WAY FOR RESIDENTS TO EXPERIENCE E-BIKES FIRST HAND. IT CAN INCLUDE A TRIAL PERIOD WHERE E-BIKES ARE ALLOWED ON THE PATHWAYS AND DEMO DAYS WHERE RESIDENTS CAN TRY OUT E-BIKES TO GET EXPERIENCE ON WHAT THEY'RE LIKE. WE'RE INTERESTED AND WILLING TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY THAT MAY BE HELPFUL IN THIS MATTER.

IN CONCLUSION, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT E-BIKES ON THE

[00:20:04]

>> THANK YOU, CT. WE HAVE DEB KELLER.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN, AND DIRECTORS OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP. IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

I WAS VERY ENCOURAGED AFTER THE APRIL 22ND MEETING THAT I ATTENDED BY THE OUTPOURING OF INTERESTS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN MODIFYING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FIELDS AND THE MONOPOLIZATION FROM DYNAMO DASH.

UNFORTUNATELY SINCE NOTHING HAS OCCURRED, NOTHING.

I WAS TOLD TO SHOW UP TO THE PARKS AND REC ADVISORY MEETING.

I WAS NEVER GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT TIME TO THAT PARKS AND REC MEETING, AND LATER CIRCLED BACK TO MY EMAIL SAYING WE GOT IT COVERED, NO WORRIES. PARAPHRASING OBVIOUSLY.

WE'VE GOT A GROUP ON THIS, NO NEED.

NO ONE REACHED OUT TO ME TO HEAR EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON, EVERYTHING THAT ISN'T FIT TO PUBLISH IN THESE THREE MINUTE SPURTS AT PUBLIC COMMENT. THE STATUS QUO, NOBODY IS INTERESTED IN THE FULL DETAILS. SO I WANTED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THE MATTER AGAIN AND I ALSO USED ATTACHMENT D FROM THE PACKET THAT WAS PRESENTED APRIL 22ND OF THE EXPENSES THAT DYNAMO DASH PAID OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

AND KNOWING THAT PARKS AND REC UNQUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS PAY THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS APPROXIMATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GUESSTIMATE HOW MUCH DYNAMO DASH WOULD HAVE PAID SINCE THEY STARTED THEIR EXPANSION PROGRAM IN 2018.

NOW THIS WAS LITERALLY A QUICK AND DIRTY CALCULATION, BUT $888,000 THAT DIDN'T END UP IN WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP COFFERS, ESSENTIALLY. AGAIN THIS IS QUICK AND DIRTY, MAYBE IT'S LOWER, MAYBE IT'S HIGHER.

THE FACT THAT DYNAMO NEVER NEEDED TO ECONOMIZE ON THEIR FIELDS, THEY HAD FIELDS AVAILABLE TO THEM AND ONE DAY WAS ON THE FIELD ASKING ONE OF THE FIELD MARSHALS, WHY CAN'T WE USE THIS FIELD OVER HERE, HE SAID YEAH THAT'S FREE.

I SAID WHY DIDN'T THE TOWNSHIP OFFER IT TO ME WHEN WE NEEDED HE SAID BECAUSE THAT'S IN OUR LIST OF FIELDS, THEY DON'T SCHEDULE THOSE. WHAT? THE TOWNSHIP DOESN'T EVEN HAVE CONTROL OVER FIELDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. THEY'RE GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE WHOLE FIELDS FOR THEIR OWN SCHEDULING AND WHEN THEY'RE FREE THEY'RE NOT AVAILABLE TO THE TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS. SO I WOULD SAY THAT THAT WOULD BOOST THE NUMBER RATHER THAN REDUCE IT.

SO IT'S VERY CONCERNING AND WITH WHEN THEY WERE NO LONGER A QUALIFIED ORGANIZATION STARTING IN EARLY 2018, I ALSO ATTACHED FOR YOU ONE OF THE DOCUMENTS WHERE THEY MERGE WITH SPACE CITY. YOU CAN SEE THAT WAS MAY OF 2018, SO THAT GIVES YOU A TIMELINE.

I REALLY THINK THAT THIS WARRANTS NOT JUST FURTHER INVESTIGATION WHICH I THINK AT THIS POINT IS REALLY A MUST, BUT ALSO SOME QUESTIONING INTO WHY DID PARKS AND REC GO BEYOND THE GUIDELINES SET OUT BY WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP ABOUT WHO A QUALIFIED ORGANIZATION IS AND CAN BE AND ALLOWED AN OVERRIDE FOR THIS GROUP AND DID NOT ALLOW THE SAME OVERRIDE FOR OTHER GROUPS LIKE MY OWN. IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS I WOULD SAY SOMEBODY IS EITHER ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL, INCOMPETENT, OR MAYBE THERE'S SOME PERSONAL INTEREST. I HATE TO INFER THAT, BUT IT'S INFURIATING FOR A SMALL GROUP LIKE ME THAT'S TRYING TO GET FIELDS. I THINK IT REALLY NEEDS ADDITIONAL, SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE AN ADDITIONAL LOOK AT IT HONESTLY. I'M A BIT FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I KEEP COMING TO THIS GROUP AND NOTHING GETS DONE.

I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR SOMEBODY TO TAKE AN INTEREST, SERIOUS INTEREST. AND WITH THAT, I CONCEDE THE REST OF MY TIME IF THERE IS ANY. AND WITH THAT I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK.

I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY SITTING UP THERE.

HAVE A GOOD ONE. >> THANK YOU, DEB.

[00:25:02]

UNLESS NANCY, YOU'RE WANTING TO DO THIS ONE?

NO, OKAY. >> MY NAME IS NANCY BECKER, YOU ALL KNOW ME AS PRESIDENT OF CREEKSIDE PARK.

JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE ABOUT USING THE PATHWAYS AND THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME WELL KNOW I AM PROBABLY ON THE PATHWAY 6 TO 7 DAYS A WEEK.

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS RUNNING BY MYSELF, THANKFULLY IT WAS NOT WITH MY RUNNING PARTNER, AND I HAD TWO GENTLEMEN COMING AT ME ON BIKES GOING FAST ON THE PATHWAY.

FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF THE WAY BUT NOT INTO THE BUSHES AS THEY WERE GOING FAST COMING AT ME.

AND IT WASN'T A CASE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO HEAR THEM.

I NOW RUN WITH MY IPHONE WITH MY MUSIC ON, I DON'T WEAR EAR BUDS.

FAST FORWARD TO ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, I WAS ALSO RUNNING ON THE PATHWAY ON CREEKSIDE FOREST AND THERE WAS A LOT OF BLIND CURVES HERE. LUCKILY A LOT OF THE PEOPLE RIDING AT ME HAD SQUEAKY BRAKES. WE NEARLY CAME FACE TO FACE WHEN I JUMPED INTO THE BUSHES TO GET AWAY FROM THE FIRST BIKE WHICH I YELLED AT THEM. THEN I CAME UPON A SECOND BIKE AS WELL. THEY DIDN'T SAY I'M SORRY OR ANYTHING. I HAD TO JUMP INTO THE TREES TO GET OUT OF THEIR WAY OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK.

IT'S NOT SO MUCH ABOUT E-BIKES, BIKES IN GENERAL, IT'S ABOUT SPEED AND BEING COGNIZANT OF PEOPLE COMING THE OTHER WAY.

WE ALSO WALK MY SMALL DOG AND AGAIN NOT HEARING IMPEDED AT ALL AND WE HAVE BIKES COMING BEHIND US THAT DON'T TELL THEM THAT THEY'RE COMING THAT WAY SO IT'S NOT SO MUCH THE E-BIKES THAT I OPPOSE ON THE PATHWAYS, IT'S THE SEED, 15 MILES AN HOUR IS PRETTY FAST TO COME BEHIND SOMEBODY OR COME AT SOMEBODY.

AND IF YOU'RE COMING AROUND A CURVE, THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO UNTIL THE BIKE IS THERE. THANKFULLY BOTH TIMES MY RUNNING PARTNER WAS NOT WITH ME. WHEN WE RUN, WE GO SINGLE FILE WHEN WE HEAR SOMEBODY COMING. BUT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE IN CREEKSIDE PARK THAT DON'T DO THAT.

AGAIN ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO I WAS RUNNING ON THANKSGIVING DAY AND I HAD FOUR YOUNG LADIES COMING AT ME AND I WASN'T GOING TO MOVE AND GUESS WHAT, THEY DIDN'T MOVE EITHER AND ONE OF THE YOUNG LADIES AND I HIT ELBOW TO ELBOW, SHE KNEW SHE HIT ME.

I WAS NOT GOING TO JUMP OFF THE PATHWAY, THEY WERE GOING TO GO AND SHARE THE PATHWAY. SO WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT PEOPLE CAN SHARE THE PATHWAY REGARDLESS IF IT'S AN E-BIKE, A REGULAR BIKE, A STROLLER, A WALKER, A RUNNER, A DOG WALKER. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, NANCY. AND ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT, IF THERE ARE NO MORE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT AND

[6. President/General Manager's Report; a. Memorial Day wrap-up, and b. 4th of July events]

PRESENTATION FROM NICK WALDEN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIRMAN. AND GOOD EVENING, DIRECTORS.

A COUPLE OF ITEMS I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION.

ONE IS THE MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION THAT WE HELD WHICH WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER AT TOWN GREEN PARK AND ALONG THE WATERWAY AND PUT TOGETHER REALLY A NICE PROGRAM.

IT WAS SOMETHING I WANT TO SHOW YOU IN A VIDEO.

BUT I WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE ENTIRE PARKS TEAM WHO PUT ON JUST A FABULOUS EVENT ON THAT MEMORIAL DAY, IT WAS THE SUNDAY BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY. FOR MANY PEOPLE, MEMORIAL DAY IS A THREE DAY CELEBRATION, BUT REALLY THE TOWNSHIP AND MAYBE NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT AND THE FULL MAGNITUDE OF WHY IT IS CELEBRATED. THE TOWNSHIP CERTAINLY UNDERSTANDS AND WE PUT TOGETHER A TWO MINUTE VIDEO THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR RENEE TO ROLL HIGHLIGHTING WHY WE DO THIS EVENT EACH AND EVERY YEAR. AND IT DOES HAVE SOUND.

♪ >>> OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO

[00:30:05]

AND AS WE KNOW THE UNITED STATES IS THE FREEST NATION ON THE FACE OF THE GLOBE EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

AND AS WE COMPARE TEXAS WITH THE OTHER STATES, WE KNOW THAT TEXAS IS THE FREEST STATE OF ALL OF THE STATES IN THE UNITED STATES.

GOD BLESS OUR UNFORGOTTEN FALLEN HEROES, GOD BLESS THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS, GOD BLESS AMERICA AND SEMPER FIDELIS.

>> WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR LETTING THEM KNOW YOU ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE.

AND YOU WILL BE READY TO RECEIVE THEM WHEN THEY COME BACK.

>> THAT I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER ME ACCORDING TO THE REGULATIONS AND THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE.

SO HELP ME GOD. CONGRATULATIONS.

THERE, THOSE WERE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN GOING OFF TO SERVE IN OUR COUNTRY. AND THAT WAS THE NEXT DAY IN FACT. AND SO THIS EVENT HAS REALLY SOME TRUE MEANING. IT DOES HAVE CELEBRATION OF BEING AN AMERICAN AS WELL. WE HAD SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, RESIDENTS THAT WERE THERE AT THE EVENT AND APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF MEMORIAL DAY ACTIVITIES AND THANK OUR STAFF FOR THAT. SO IF THERE WERE ANY PARTICULAR QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ON THAT, THEN I HAVE ONE OTHER TOPIC OR ANY COMMENTS, AND I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER TOPIC TO TALK ABOUT. OKAY SO CARRYING ON INTO THE PATRIOTIC THEME, 4TH OF JULY IS COMING UP WE HAVE SOME REPRESENTATIVES HERE FROM THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION COMING UP FOR THEM VERY SHORTLY AS WELL.

I HAVE THREE SLIDES I WANT TO SHOW FOR THE GREAT ACTIVITIES WE DO HAVE FOR THE 4TH OF JULY THIS YEAR.

THIS YEAR IT STARTS ON JULY 3RD. THE PARADE IS ON JULY 3RD NOT JULY 4TH, IS THAT RIGHT, DR. SHELLY?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> OKAY, VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU FOR ACCENTUATING THE POINT.

THE LAST TIME THE PARADE WAS ON JULY 3RD WAS --

>> 2010. >> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT, 2010.

WE HAVE TO EMPHASIZE THAT MESSAGE AND WE'RE DOING THAT.

THAT WEEKEND STARTS SATURDAY, JULY 3RD.

AND THAT EVENING IS THE PAVILION CONCERT, IT'S GOING TO FEATURE THIS YEAR THE WOODLANDS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, SO EXCITED TO HAVE OUR OWN SYMPHONY THAT WILL BE PERFORMING THAT NIGHT.

THE NEXT MORNING COMES ALONG AND THAT'S JULY 4TH, RIGHT THERE.

RED HOT AND POOL AT THE WOODLANDS POOLS, IT'S ALL 14 OF OUR POOLS WILL HAVE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE HAPPENING ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY. IN THE PAST THE POOLS HAVE BEEN FREE THAT DAY, BUT THEY'RE NOT THIS YEAR.

SO YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE YOUR SEASON PASS, SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS DO KNOW THAT OR YOU PAY THE DAY PASS AS WELL. AND THEN LATER THAT EVENING IS THE RED HOT AND BLUE FESTIVAL. FOUR FIREWORKS SHOWS, THE BIG SHOW WILL BE AT NORTH SHORE PARK.

THAT'S GOING TO BE FROM A BARGE AND BE ABLE TO BE SEEN FROM NORTH SHORE PARK, SOUTH SHORE AREA, HUGHES LANDING, SO A BIG, WIDE AREA. WE'LL HAVE ACTIVITIES, MUSIC AT BOTH NORTH SHORE AND AT HUGHES LANDING AS WELL.

THEN IF YOU GO DOWN THE WATERWAY, WE'LL HAVE A FESTIVAL AND ACTIVITIES AT TOWN GREEN PARK.

ALSO WITH CLOSE PROXIMITY FIREWORKS THERE.

IN WATERWAY SQUARE WE'LL HAVE ACTIVITIES AND MUSIC AND FIREWORKS YOU CAN SEE FROM WATERWAY SQUARE AREA.

AND ALSO FROM CREEKSIDE PARK. ALL OF THIS IS ONLINE AT REDHOTBLUE.ORG. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A NOTE THAT OUR HOTELS ARE IF THEY'RE NOT SOLD OUT RIGHT NOW, THEY WILL

[00:35:04]

I ALREADY KNOW SOME OF THEM ARE ALREADY FULL.

SO A GREAT WEEKEND IN STORE FOR THE WOODLANDS.

I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR ANY COMMENTS.

THANK YOU. >> CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK NICK WALDEN AND JOHN POWERS AND ALL OF THE STAFF FOR WORKING SO HARD TO MAKE THIS PARTICULAR RED HOT AND BLUE AND 4TH OF JULY PARTICULARLY WONDERFUL.

IT IS GOING TO BE FANTASTIC. AND I ENCOURAGE ALL OF THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS OUT THERE TO DO SOMETHING, PARTICIPATE, THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO GET BACK IN GEAR AFTER COVID-19, RIGHT? WE'RE READY TO CELEBRATE AND I THINK IT'S TIME AND IF THEY CAN WE WELCOME THEM. WE WELCOME ALL OF THE VISITORS AND I JUST SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AND LET'S HAVE A FANTASTIC 4TH OF JULY THAT STARTS ON JULY 3RD WITH THE PARADE. JUST IN CASE ANYBODY DIDN'T CATCH THAT. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU NICK.

[7. Receive, consider and act upon reports from Village Association representatives;]

>> GOOD EVENING, AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALDON BRIDGE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION, I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON OUR ACTIVITIES. I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO THANK THE TOWNSHIP FOR OUR FUNDS FOR 2021. WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR ORGANIZATION AND WE USE THOSE FUNDS TO REACH OUT TO RESIDENTS WITH EVENTS DURING THE YEAR.

WE HELD OUR LAST MEETING ONLINE IN JUNE.

WE RECEIVED THE LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT FROM SPECIALIST MEDINA.

AND WE'D LIKE TO REMIND OUR RESIDENTS THAT IF YOU'RE GOING ON VACATION, YOU CAN COMPLETE A VACATION WATCH REQUEST ON THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S WEBSITE.

WHILE YOU ARE OUT OF TOWN, THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFFS WATCH DIVISION WILL CHECK ON YOUR RESIDENCE.

THE SERVICE IS FREE. I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE ON TOWNSHIP ACTIVITIES THAT ARE OF INTEREST TO THE RESIDENTS. IT WAS OUR LAST MEETING WITH OUR PROGRAM SPECIALIST WITH THE TOWNSHIP.

WE WILL CERTAINLY MISS HER AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYED HER ENTHUSIASM AND HELPFULNESS FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

ONCE AGAIN I CAN SINCERELY THANK A TOWNSHIP EMPLOYEE FOR BEING A GREAT HELP TO THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION.

DAN LEWIS RESIGNED FROM THE BOARD FOR HEALTH REASONS.

WE WISH HIM AND HIS FAMILY ALL THE BEST.

WE ARE PLANNING A POOL PARTY AT THE ALDON BRIDGE POOL ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 7TH BETWEEN 10:00 A.M. AND 2:00 P.M. ENTRY TO THE POOL IS FREE AND WE WILL HAVE GAMES, FOOD, AND FUN, AND PLEASE JOIN US FOR A FUN DAY AT THE POOL.

WE'VE ALSO BEGUN PLANNING TO HOLD A FALL FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH AT LAKESIDE PARK FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M. AND WILL SHARE MORE DETAILS AT A MEETING IN THE FUTURE. OUR YARD OF THE MONTH AWARD WENT TO 47 VERBINA BEND PLACE. IT IS A POLLINATOR GARDEN AND HAD MANY FUN DECORATIONS AND COLORFUL PLANS.

PLEASE SEND US A NOMINATION IF YOU SEE A GARDEN THAT DESERVES RECOGNITION. WE ARE CURRENTLY OUT VOTING THIS WEEK FOR OUR WINNER FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE.

OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON JULY 13TH.

WE WILL BE MEETING IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WILL ALSO ALLOW MEMBERS TO JOIN US USING ZOOM.

WE MEET ON THE SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH.

WE INVITE ALL RESIDENTS TO COME AND WE DO HAVE SEVERAL OPENINGS O THE BOARD AND ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS WHO LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP WOULD BE LAURIE RILEY

WITH COCHRAN'S CROSSING. >> HELLO, I'M VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COCHRAN'S CROSSING VILLAGE ASSOCIATION AND WE'VE HAD OUR JUNE MEETING WAS ACTUALLY JUST YESTERDAY.

NORMALLY WE MEET RIGHT AFTER YOU FOLKS, BUT WE HAD IN MAY WE HAD SPEAKERS AND WE ALSO HAD BOB ON WATER.

WE HAVE GIVEN AWAY OUR TWO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LAST YEAR.

THEY BOTH WENT TO GRADUATING SENIORS FROM COLLEGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL. WE WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE AS WELL. OUR MEETINGS WILL BE RESUMING AT THE TOWNSHIP OFFICE IN JULY. WE HAVE BEEN MEETING ONLY PTHRO POINT. WE NOW HAVE 17 OF 18 BOARD

[00:40:01]

AND WE HAVE ALSO RECEIVED SOME FUNDS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR VARIOUS ITEMS FOR $700 THAT HAVE GONE TOWARDS THE EDUCATIONAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, LAURIE. NEXT UP WILL BE NANCY BECKER,

CREEKSIDE PARK. >> GOOD EVENING AGAIN.

JUST WHEN I THINK THINGS ARE GOING TO CALM DOWN IN CREEKSIDE PARK, NO LET'S GET EXCITING. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF RECENT ACTIVITY SINCE I LAST SAW YOU ALL.

WE HAD A TRAGIC AUTO PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT IN WHICH AN 18-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE WAS KILLED. SHE WAS RIDING HER BICYCLE CROSSING CREEKSIDE GREEN AND WAS HIT AND PASSED AWAY.

AN INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING. IN OUR JUNE MEETING WE RECEIVED FEEDBACK FROM SEVERAL RESIDENTS AFFIRMING THE DANGERS ESPECIALLY WHEN SCHOOLS ARE IN OPERATION. A WORKING GROUP THAT INCLUDES TISD, HARRIS COUNTY, THE TOWNSHIP, AND CPBA WILL HOPEFULLY WORK TOGETHER TO EXPLORE POSSIBLE IDEAS TO REDUCE THE RISK AT THIS INTERSECTION. IDEAS TO BE CONSIDERED BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ARE REDUCING THE SPEED ON KIRKENDAL TO 45 MILES PER HOUR TO 35 MILES PER HOUR, ADDING A CROSSWALK ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CREEKSIDE GREEN, CHANGING THE TIMING OF LIGHTS ALLOWING FOR THE SOUTHBOUND LEFT TURN LANE TO BE CLEARED BEFORE THE EAST/WEST TRAFFIC ON CREEKSIDE GREEN CLEARS.

AND I'M GOING TO PAUSE HERE, DIRECTOR MILNER AND I MET OUT AT THAT INTERSECTION AND WE BELIEVE WE SAW THE POSSIBLE SAME SCENARIO THAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT THAT THAT YOUNG LADY WAS KILLED.

THAT LEFT TURN SOUTHBOUND COMING FROM CREEKSIDE GREEN ONTO KIRKENDAL USUALLY DOES NOT TURN GREEN UNTIL THE TRAFFIC PASSES.

THAT'S ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED.

CHANGING THE TIMING OF LIGHTS ALLOWING THE SOUTHBOUND, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ONE. CROSSING GUARDS WHEN CHILDREN ARE GOING TO AND FROM SCHOOL, FLASHING SCHOOL ZONE SIGNS ON KIRKENDAL, NO RIGHT TURN ON RED, AND HERE'S WHERE I SHOOT FROM THE MOON, A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER THE INTERSECTION SIMILAR TO THE ONE AT GROGAN'S MILL. THE INTERSECTION HAS RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT ATTENTION AFTER THE FATALITY AND OUR BOARD WILL PARTICIPATE TO INFLUENCE FOR POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS.

GOLF CARTS, WITH THE HELP OF OUR CONSTABLES WE HAVE COMMUNICATED ABOUT THE REVISED LAWS RELATED TO DRIVING GOLF CARTS IN CREEKSIDE PARK. GOLF CART DRIVERS NOW MUST FOLLOW THE SAME RULES FOR AUTOS RELATED TO THE SAME DRIVING REQUIREMENTS. WE ARE PLEASED WITH THIS PROVISION WHICH SHOULD ELIMINATE SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS FROM OUR RESIDENTS. AT OUR LAST MEETING WE HAD A PRESENTATION FROM TRI POINT ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANNEX PROPERTY OFF OF INDIAN HILL ROAD.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE LATER THIS YEAR.

WE ALSO HAVE A NEW CHILDCARE FACILITY CALLED KIDDY ACADEMY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON CREEKSIDE PARK.

CONSTRUCTION IS GOING WELL AND WE EXPECT THE FACILITY TO BE WELL RECEIVED BY RESIDENTS. ALSO THE GROVE APARTMENT COMPLEX HAS RECENTLY OPENED FOR OCCUPANCY.

THERE IS RESIDENT CONCERN HOWEVER THAT THE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC SO CLOSE TO CREEKSIDE GREEN AND KIRKENDAL MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO MORE RISK AT SAID INTERSECTION.

WE ALSO HAVE A NEW RESTAURANT COMING IT'S CALLED I HEART MAC & CHEESE, WE EXPECT THIS RESTAURANT CHAIN TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL. DESPITE OUR INITIAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE PRICE CHANGE FOR NON-RESIDENTS AT THE AQUATIC CENTER, SO FAR SO GOOD. HAPPILY WE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE WITH A FLOAT AGAIN REPRESENTING OUR VILLAGE. IT'S BEING BUILT BY THE RESIDENTS AND WE DO HAVE SOME REALLY, REALLY NEAT T-SHIRTS THAT THE RIDERS WILL WEAR. SO BE LOOKING FOR OUR FLOAT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, NANCY.

AND NOW JOHN. JOHNNY.

[00:45:07]

>>> YOU'VE GOT TO COME TO THE DAIS PLEASE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY YOUR NAME AGAIN, I ALREADY ANNOUNCED YOU.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK THE BOARD BECAUSE I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH A LOT OF YOU OVER THE YEARS.

I'VE BEEN KIND OF OUT OF POCKET FOR A WHILE.

BUT WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE IN THE WOODLANDS IS SOMETHING THAT I BRAG ABOUT TO ALL OF MY FRIENDS IN MICHIGAN, ALL OF MY FRIENDS IN LOUISIANA AND FLORIDA. AND THEY DON'T BELIEVE ME.

I'VE HAD SOME FRIENDS THAT CAME ACROSS AND VISITED AND NOW THEY BELIEVE ME. BUT ANYWAY IT'S BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO AND YOU GET TOGETHER AND YOU MULL OUT WHATEVER PROBLEMS WE ISSUE OR WE HAVE AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. NO MORE.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE'LL TAKE IT. THANK YOU, JOHNNY.

NEXT UP WILL BE EVERETT EISEN, PANTHER CREEK.

>> HOW YOU DOING? >> GOOD.

>> TO THE BOARD, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

AND PROBABLY SURPRISED THAT I WAS HERE BECAUSE I'M SUPPOSED TO BE STILL TRAVELING. SO ANYWAY WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A MISHAP SO MY 8500 MILE TRIP THAT'S ENDED TWO DAYS AGO IS ON PAUSE. SO RIGHT NOW I'M WAITING TO GET STARTED AGAIN. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I HAD A GOOD TIME, SPENT THREE AND A HALF MONTHS TRAVELING, VISITING OUR VETERANS AND WHAT HAVE YOU. BEEN AT OCEANIA NAVAL STATION, BEEN AT FORT MEAD, BEEN THERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

AND ALSO VISITED OUR VETERANS AND SOLDIERS AT WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE IN DAYTON. DOING THAT FOR THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT PANTHER CREEK IS ALIVE AND WELL. VERY LIVELY MEETINGS.

AND I KNOW DR. SNIDER AND DR. GIBBS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ATTENDING OUR MEETINGS ON ZOOM. I'M HOPING WE'LL HAVE ONE MORE THEN WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE EACH OTHER LIVE.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT GOES AND I ALWAYS CAUCUS MY VILLAGE ASSOCIATION ONLY TO FIND OUT HOW THEY'RE DOING.

SO WITH THAT, WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS, WE HAD TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO DAN AND KIM LEWIS FROM THE LAST TIME, AS YOU KNOW JUST LIKE YOU SAID, DAN HAS HAD SOME HEALTH ISSUES. THEY MOVED OUT OF PANTHER CREEK, THEREFORE WE HAD TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO THEM.

BUT ANYWAY NOT FORGOTTEN, AND I TOLD HER SAME WAY AS I DID LARRY AND JOHN AND ALL OF THEM, YOU'RE NOT GOING AWAY.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP YOU ACTIVE. ESPECIALLY WITH THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE AND SHE'S GOING TO BE VERY ACTIVE.

SO ALDON BRIDGE, YOU'VE GOT A HECK OF A TEAM THERE.

SO KEEP THEM ACTIVE. A VERY HUGE ASSET.

WE ALSO HAD TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO KEVIN AND MJ CURRY, THEY'RE GOING TO WYOMING, MY NEXT TRIP. SO HOPEFULLY I'LL BE ABLE TO VISIT THEM. MAYBE THEY'LL GET SETTLED INTO THEIR HOUSE AND WHAT HAVE YOU. BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY I THINK THEY SAID IT WAS SIX YEARS THAT SHE'S BEEN WITH THE TOWNSHIP IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. BUT SHE'S BEEN A HUGE ASSET FOR US, SO HAS KEVIN. KEVIN IS REVITALIZED.

I KNOW I SAID IT WRONG THE LAST TIME I HAD IT.

BUT KEVIN CURRY REVITALIZED OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND WE WERE ABLE TO SUPPLY A WARD, I SHOULD SAY SUPPLY BUT WE WERE ABLE TO AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO VERY DESERVING, AS A MATTER OF FACT IT WAS A HUGE STIFF COMPETITION. IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF THE ENTRIES THAT WE HAD, IF I HAD IT, EVERY ONE OF THEM, ALL EIGHT OF THEM WOULD HAVE RECEIVED IT. VERY OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS.

ALSO JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ALSO HAD, I FORGET HIS LAST NAME ALL THE TIME. ANYWAY IS IT LIKLIC?

[00:50:02]

I KNOW IT'S A TOPIC THAT CONCERNS ALL OF US, NOT ONLY HEE IN THE WOODLANDS, BUT EVEN OUR SURROUNDING AREAS.

BECAUSE THOSE AQUIFERS JUST DOESN'T HAVE BORDERS OF THE WOODLANDS, IT ENCOMPASSES A GREAT DEAL.

SO I THINK THEY SAID WE WERE UP TO ABOUT 60%, IT'S DROPPING.

WE'VE GOT TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION TOO.

HOPEFULLY THE SURFACE WATER PROJECT THAT THE CITY OF CONROE PUT RIGHT THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY HELPS.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING WE ONLY GET LIKE 10% OF THAT.

I'M HOPING WE'LL BE ABLE TO INCREASE THAT A LITTLE BIT TO HELP RESERVE THAT AQUIFER. HOPEFULLY.

SO WITH THAT THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ITEMS. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS TO THE SPEAKERS WHO HAVE WENT THROUGH, WE DID SUPPORT THE YMCA AGAIN FOR OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS. I KNOW PEOPLE THINK WOW THE SCHOOLS HAVEN'T BEEN, THEY'VE BEEN DISTANT LEARNING. BUT DON'T FORGET, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PARENTS OUT THERE THAT HAS NEVER DONE VIRTUAL LEARNING.

WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS WHO GOT STUCK INTO THIS.

I'VE GOT FIVE GRANDKIDS, ONE OF THEM BELIEVE IT OR NOT THEIR COLLEGE LABS WERE VIRTUAL. SCIENCE, HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU DO THAT? I HAD FUN IN SCIENCE, WATCHING EVERYTHING ELSE. SO I MEAN I DON'T KNOW, AND HE'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE A PHYSICIAN SO GUESS WHAT, VIRTUAL, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. I DON'T WANT A SURGEON TO GO OVER THERE AND EXPERIMENT ON ME. SO ANYWAY HE'S GOING TO TAKE THAT TO HEART, WE JOKE ABOUT IT. BUT WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES AS HE CONTINUES ON. SOME OF THE TOPICS THAT WAS PRETTY, I KNOW DR. GIBBS, YOU WERE PROBABLY THE BRUNT END OF MY LAST ONE CONCERNING THE INCORPORATION AND I KNOW DR. SNIDER WAS ON THE MEETING BEFORE.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE BASICALLY SAID DON'T RUSH INTO THE VOTE, WHATEVER YOU DO. WE'VE BEEN ON LOCKDOWN FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS WHEN YOU REALLY STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT.

THESE ZOOM MEETINGS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, YOU DON'T GET THAT INTERACTION THAT YOU WOULD AS IF YOU HAD IT IN PERSON.

AND I'M NOT HERE FOR OR AGAINST OR ANYTHING.

I'M JUST SAYING THE EDUCATIONAL SIDE OF IT.

I WAS PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S STEERING COMMITTEE WHEN WE HAD IT BACK IN 2006 AND 2007, IT WAS A GREAT, POSITIVE PART OF IT.

DO THE SAME THING, HAVE THE MEETINGS TOGETHER WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE SLIDES, WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY HAVE AN INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY. YOU ALSO HEARD IT HERE.

PEOPLE ARE FOR AND AGAINST IT. I'LL BE TRUTHFUL TO THE PEOPLE, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE MY SIDE ON HOW I WOULD VOTE.

AND I'VE ALREADY SAID THAT IF YOU ASK ME RIGHT NOW, I ABSTAIN FROM THE VOTE ONLY BECAUSE I'M NOT HERE, I'M HERE TO HELP EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY, NOT TO PUT THE PROS AND CONS.

OKAY. THERE'S ALL THESE PROS AND CONS, LET ME REPHRASE THAT. BUT THE THING OF IT IS IT'S GOT TO BE DONE IN A LOGICAL EDUCATIONAL PROCESS THAT WE CAN DO. DON'T RUSH INTO IT.

DON'T GO AND SAY WE'VE GOT TO PASS IT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S IN IT. THE OTHER THING IS E-BIKES.

I GOT A COUPLE OF PHONE CALLS CONCERNING THAT.

AND I JUST SPENT THE LAST BASICALLY -- THREE MONTHS OVER A THOUSAND TRAILS AND ALSO THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES E-BIKES HAVE VERY POPULAR. BUT THERE IS SOME RISKS.

AND I KNOW THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PROBABLY YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO ALONG WITH IS OUR PARK RANGER OR SOME TYPE OF ENFORCEMENT ON THE SPEED. BELIEVE ME, I CAN TELL YOU WE'VE GOT SOME RACE CARS ON THE SCOOTERS FOR OUR SENIORS.

SO ANYWAY, AND SPEED IS A PROBLEM.

YOU DON'T STOP ON A DIME, YOU DON'T STOP INSTANTANEOUSLY.

[00:55:02]

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT. A HUGE PROBLEM WITH US FOR A VERY LONG TIME, I HAD AN OPEN ZOOM MEETING.

IT WAS VERY GOOD. WE HAD HAL AND JOHN WAS ALL ON IT AND ALSO CHRIS. AND WE HAD A VERY GOOD AND ALSO CHRISSY, IS THAT HER NAME? SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE ASKED FOR WAS LITTLE PLACARDS AND I KNOW JOHN POWERS WE TALK ABOUT ADDING THINGS, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT EVER GOT APPROVED OR NOT.

SOMETHING THERE TO TELL THEM HEY WE'RE GOING TO BE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. IF IT'S A PLACARD AT LEAST ON THE ENTRYWAY. GOT THROUGH WITH THAT AND THEN LOW AND BEHOLD, ENERGY COMES ALONG AND UPGRADES THEIR SYSTEM.

GUESS WHAT, THEY'RE RIGHT IN THE BACKYARD.

SO RIGHT NOW LUCKILY KNOCK ON WOOD, IT'S GOING GOOD.

I'M NOT HEARING ANY COMPLAINTS EXCEPT FOR POWER OFF ONE DAY.

OTHER THAN THAT IT'S GOING PRETTY GOOD.

ANYWAY THAT'S OUR REPORT. ALSO THE PAST TWO WEEKS, PLEASE DELETE THAT ONE. MY NEW EMAIL AND I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU IS EISON01@COMCAST.NET. I GET ABOUT 60 EMAILS A DAY SO I WILL GET BACK WITH YOU AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

BECAUSE I TOOK ON AN APPOINTMENT THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD A BAD LEGISLATIVE SESSION BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATORS THIS TIME AROUND.

BUT ANYWAY. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD LUCK ON YOUR TRIP. >> I WILL.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON STERLING RIDGE. MY NAME IS TOM SCHWARTZ FROM THE STERLING RIDGE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION.

WE HAD OUR FISHING TOURNAMENT. FISHING TOURNAMENT AS YOU KNOW -- IT WAS ALSO ASSISTED BY THE BASS FISHING CLUB FROM THE WOODLANDS HIGH SCHOOL. WE'D LIKE TO THANK THEM.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK D DR. NUNEZ.

HIM AND HIS STAFF DID A VERY GOOD JOB OF CLEANING UP THE PARK BEFORE THE FISHING TOURNAMENT AND I WANTED TO MAKE A SPECIAL NOTE. WE ALSO HAVE THE FARMERS MARKET THAT WE HAVE. WE DO HAVE OUR SHARE PROBLEMS WITH THAT BUT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT.

AND FOR ME IT'S A CHALLENGE TO SORT OUT THE MANY ISSUES THAT WE HAVE. I DID WANT TO GET AND ALSO TO DR. SNIDER FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE VILLAGE.

AS YOU KNOW AND AS OUR GUESTS HERE KNOW OR MAY NOT KNOW, WE'RE ALL VOLUNTEERS AND IT'S KIND OF HARD FOR VOLUNTEERS TO COME IN BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A MEANINGFUL PRESENCE OR A MEANINGFUL PURPOSE SERVING ON A VILLAGE BOARD.

BUT WHEN WE HAVE DIRECTORS FROM THE TOWNSHIP COME IN AND SPEAK, IT KIND OF GIVES THEM A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF OWNERSHIP.

AND GIVES THEM SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN SAY HEY, WE CONTRIBUTED TO THE THINGS THAT AE GOING ON HERE IN THE VILLAGE.

SO FOR THAT, I DO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP TO OUR MEETINGS AND PARTICIPATING AND TALKING TO US.

SO WITH THAT SAID, I'M GOING TO CUT IT SHORT TONIGHT SO YOU CAN GET ON WITH YOUR MEETING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AND

[01:00:02]

[a. Receive, consider and act upon a proclamation recognizing the South County Fourth of July Parade Committee; ]

>> WE WILL NOW TAKE A PROCLAMATION FOR THE SOUTH

COUNTY 4TH OF JULY PARADE. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN BUNCH.

AND THANK YOU ALL, COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR BEING PRESENT FOR THIS. BE IT PROCLAIMED, WHEREAS THE SOUTH COUNTY 4TH OF JULY PARADE HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL EVENT IN SOUTH MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOR 42 YEARS AND WHEREAS THE PARADE PROVIDES LOCAL BUSINESSES, VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER FOR OUR NATION'S BIRTHDAY AND WHEREAS THE PARADE IS A BELOVED FAMILY TRADITION IN THE WOODLANDS AND UNITES FAMILIES.

AND WHEREAS THE SOUTH COUNTY 4TH OF JULY PARADE COMMITTEE WORKS TIRELESSLY TO PLAN THE ANNUAL PARADE AND WHEREAS THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP RECOGNIZES TO ORGANIZE AND HOST THE ANNUAL PARADE FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE COMMUNITY. NOW THEREFORE I, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2021, --

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

[ CONSENT AGENDA]

>>> THAT MOVES US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

WE'LL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEMS 9A, B, AND C.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? NOW WE'LL PULL UP AGENDA ITEM 9D.

[d. Receive, consider and act upon the selection of a government relations consultant and authorize an agreement in connection therewith;]

[01:05:05]

IN PARTICULAR ARPA AS I'LL REFER TO IT FROM HEREON OUT, ABOUT $195 BILLION IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. $46 BILLION TO SPLIT AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THOSE COMMUNITIES IN A MOMENT.

AND THEN $19.5 BILLION HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE ON ENTITLEMENT UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. AND THE ARPA IS DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF USE OF THE FUNDS IN PARTICULAR.

AND SO ARPA ALLOWS FOR ECONOMIC EFFECTS.

IT ALSO ALLOWS FOR PREMIUM PAID FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS TO COVER COST FOR LOST REVENUE FOR PROVIDING SERVICES.

AND THEN ALSO TO MAKE INVESTMENT IN WATER, SEWER, AND BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE. THE FUNDS WILL BE DISSEMINATED IN TWO -- THE ARPA LEGISLATION MADE ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS.

WE WERE IN COMMUNICATION WITH OUR FEDERAL ELECTED LEADERS.

AND AN ALLOCATION LIST THAT CAME OUT THROUGH THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES, THE TOWNSHIP WAS NOT INCLUDED.

SO THE BOARD AUTHORIZED STAFF AND THE CHAIRMAN TO REACH OUT TO THE UNITED STATES TREASURY SECRETARY TO IDENTIFY THE TOWNSHIP TO THE TREASURY AND TO MAKE SURE THAT -- THEY ARE AWARE OF OUR SITUATION. ESSENTIALLY WHAT THIS LETTER DOES IS IT ARGUES THAT THE TOWNSHIP SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS A NON-ENTITLEMENT UNIT OF GOVERNMENT OUT OF THAT ALLOCATION WE SAW JUST A MOMENT AGO.

SO AN EARLY MAY TREASURY RELEASED INITIAL GUIDANCE AND OUR INTERIM RULE ON HOW THEY WERE GOING TO ALLOCATE THE FUNDS. THAT WAS A GOOD CONVERSATION QUITE HONESTLY. BUT AT THAT TIME THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO COMMENT ON THEIR FINAL DESTINATIONS AND WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE. AS THEY RELEASED THEIR GUIDANCE ON MAY 10TH AND PUBLISHED THE REGISTER ON MAY 15TH, IT BECAME CLEAR WE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN TREASURY'S ALLOCATIONS.

THE ONE CATEGORY I MENTIONED A MINUTE AGO, BASICALLY WHAT THAT LANGUAGE SAYS IS THAT TREASURY CONSULTED WITH HUD AND THEY DETERMINED A METROPOLITAN CITY UNDER THE LAW WERE THOSE CITIES THAT QUALIFY UNDER THE CURRENT LAW FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

THAT IS CITIES THAT ALWAYS EXIST THAT RECEIVED A GRANT FROM CONGRESS QUALIFY AS METROPOLITAN CITIES.

THIS DOCUMENT IS ACTUALLY RELATED TO THE -- I APOLOGIZE, IT'S A LITTLE SMALLER THAN I EXPECT SO WILL THE ME PULL IT UP HERE. WHAT YOU SEE IS THE CRITERIA WE BELIEVED REQUALIFIED UNDER WHICH ESSENTIALLY SAYS THREE THINGS, IF YOU ARE A TOWNSHIP IF YOU PROVIDE SERVICES THAT ARE SIMILAR TO MUNICIPAL SERVICES, THE SECRETARY HAS THE DISCRETION TO CONSIDER YOU INELIGIBLE BODY FOR -- INELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING.

THEY DEFINE THE CITY BASICALLY AS AN INCORPORATED PLACE OR WHAT THEY CALL A MINOR CIVIL DIVISIONS.

TEXAS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE STATES, THEY DO NOT RECOGNIZE OR HAVE MINOR CIVIL DIVISIONS TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

[01:10:02]

TREASURY IS CURRENTLY IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON THE INTERIM RULE. SO TREASURY HAS OPENED THE RULE TO JULY 16TH FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. SO THE STAFF EVALUATED HOW THE TOWNSHIP COULD BEST RESPOND GIVEN THE EXPERIENCE THAT WE'VE HAD OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS OF DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES AND WE EVALUATED THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT A GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FIRM THAT COULD REPRESENT THE TOWNSHIP BEFORE THE UNITED STATES TREASURY AND THE WHITE HOUSE AS WELL AS BEFORE THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT. BECAUSE NONENTITLEMENT FUNDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND TEXAS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISTRIBUTING THOSE DOLLARS DOWN TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT IS THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS ALSO SEE US AS A NONENTITLEMENT UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

SO WE ACTUALLY HIRE OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONSULTANT IN ORDER TO HELP US PREPARE FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AS WELL AS ADVOCATE BEFORE THE TREASURY OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND THAT OUR COMMUNITY WOULD THEREFORE BE ABLE TO USE TO RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC. THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION TONIGHT IS TO IMPROVE THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONSULTING SERVICES TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER AGREEMENT TO FUND EXPENDITURES FROM THE UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

>>> I ALSO WANT TO CLARIFY ANOTHER POINT ABOUT COMPETITIVE

[01:15:02]

I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO THINK THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF DUE DILIGENCE INVOLVED IN THIS PARTICULAR PROCESS.

THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR.

>> IT IS A PLEASURE TO HEAR YOU BE SO WELL PREPARED WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO RECEIVE THESE FUNDS IN MY OPINION.

AND IT'S ALSO BEYOND DISAPPOINTING THAT THE TOWNSHIP REMAINS INVISIBLE IN SO MANY WAYS TO NOT ONLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. SO WE HAVE JUST BEEN SO STRUNG IN SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO COVID-19 IN THE TOWNSHIP. I APPLAUD YOU FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER IN A TIMELY WAY AND PRESENTING IT TO US.

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE TO LAUNCH A BIG CAMPAIGN HERE AT A DISTANCE. AND I WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST IN MAKING IT SUCCESSFUL ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE RESIDENTS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, SO I'LL RECAP A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT TODD HAS ALREADY SHARED AND THEN ALSO EXPAND A LITTLE BIT. GENERAL MANAGER JONES, TODD AND I HAD THE DIRECT CONVERSATION WITH THE PROPOSED OR STAFF RECOMMENDED FIRM. THEY HAD A VERY EXTENSIVE TEAM OF CONSULTANTS THAT OUR PRIOR I THINK DEPUTY SECRETARY OF TREASURY TYPE FOLKS, PRIOR CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE CURRENT HOUSE SPEAKER, FOLKS THAT HAVE DIRECT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HAVE INFLUENCE ON THE OUTCOMES OF HOW THESE MODIFICATIONS GET MADE WHEN THEY'RE REVIEWING THE COMMENT PERIODS.

SO IT'S ACTUALLY MULTIPLE APPROACHES.

THE FIRM WILL ACTUALLY APPROACH THE WHITE HOUSE, APPROACH THE TREASURY SECRETARY'S AREA DIRECTLY.

AND ALSO DRAFT THE COMMENT THAT SEEMS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE TOWNSHIP THAT HAS A HIGHER LIKELIHOOD OF ACHIEVING SUCCESS THAN US DRAFTING IT IN A VACUUM. ASIDE FROM THAT, THE TEXAS CONSULTING GROUP WILL BE APPROACHING THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO ADVOCATE FOR TWO THINGS; RECOGNIZING THE WOODLANDS TO BE INCLUDED IN ANY CATEGORY THAT THEY CAN ACKNOWLEDGE US UNDER FOR ARPA ACT FUNDS, BUT ALSO TO APPROACH THEM FOR THE REMAINING 5.8 MILLION WE HAVE YET TO RECEIVE UNDER THE CARES ACT. SO FUNDING HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED AT THE $55 AND THIS IS THE STATE GUIDELINE, STATE OF TEXAS PUT IT OUT, $55 PER CAPITA FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE CARES ACT FUNDING AND WE ARE CURRENTLY 5.8 MILLION SHORT.

AND RIGHT NOW I'M AT THE POINT OF BEING INDIFFERENT IF IT COMES FROM THE COUNTY OR IF IT COMES FROM THE STATE.

WE DID HAVE A FOLLOW UP MEETING WITH COUNTY JUDGE KIO AND STATE SENATOR CRAYTON. WE ARE TRYING TO BROKE EVERY POCKET THAT MAY EXIST SO OUR COMMUNITY DOES NOT GET LEFT OUT OF THAT 5.8 MILLION OF JUST THE CARES ACT FUNDS.

SO WE'RE REALLY APPROACHING A SHORT WINDOW OF TIME FOR ARPA ACT. AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NEARLY $36 MILLION THE COMMUNITY IS CURRENTLY EITHER NOT RECEIVED IT IS ENTITLED TO, THE 5.8 OR 30 MILLION THAT WE SHOULD BE INCLUDED JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER SIMILARLY ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF OUR SIZE WITH A POPULATION OF CLOSE TO 120,000.

AND SO FOR ME $50,000 A MONTH IS A GOOD SPEND TO TRY TO BRING UP TO $36 MILLION BACK INTO THIS COMMUNITY THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY SITTING OUTSIDE OF. THERE WAS QUESTIONS THAT WE GOT VIA EMAIL. IT SAYS A $50,000 A MONTH ANNUAL CONTRACT. THIS IS A MONTH TO MONTH ENGAGEMENT. THIS IS A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO HIT EVERY POSSIBLE ANGLE TO IMPROVE OUR POSITION OVER WHERE WE HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE LAST

[01:20:01]

AND IF YOU GO BACK TO THE SLIDE ON HOW ARPA MONEY CAN BE SPENT DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT THE CARES ACT MONEY CAN BE SPENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, PAY COST, PROVIDING WAYS TO RECOVER LOST REVENUE. WE KNOW THAT HOTELS WENT DOWN, THEY WENT DARK, BUT THE PAVILION HAS YET TO HAVE AN EVENT IN A YEAR. CARES ACT CAN GET US ON OVERTIME FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS, QUARANTINE TIME FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS THAT HAVE STILL NOT BEEN REIMBURSED AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THESE ARE FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN FEDERALLY ALLOCATED AND THAT WE ACTUALLY WERE APPROVED AND ENTITLED TO RECEIVE AND THE STATE OF TEXAS DID PUT IT OUT IN WRITING, HERE'S HOW MUCH YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITY SHOULD RECEIVE BASED ON WHAT YOU DO, AND WE'VE ONLY BEEN PARTIALLY FUNDED. SO WE'RE STILL ADVOCATING, STAFF IS STILL WORKING, I'M STILL CALLING.

I CALLED THE SENATOR'S OFFICE TODAY, I CALLED THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TODAY. WE'VE ACTUALLY HAD CALLS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE NOT MAKING THE DIRECT EFFORTS, BUT WE BELIEVE WITH A 30 DAY WINDOW ON A $30 MILLION ITEM, WE NEED SOME HELP.

AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO COMPETENTLY SAY WE DID EVERYTHING WE COULD AND WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS DOESN'T GET EXCLUDED FROM THE LARGEST FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE IN OUR LIFETIME. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE SITTING

AT 0. >> CHAIRMAN BUNCH, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND.

PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY PAY THOSE FEDERAL TAXES.

THE LEGISLATORS IN WASHINGTON INTENDED FOR THE MONEY TO COME BACK FOR THOSE TAXPAYERS. AND SO FAR WE'VE BEEN SHUT OUT.

AND I REALLY FIND THIS PRETTY HARD TO BELIEVE FRANKLY GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THIS COMMUNITY DOES CONTRIBUTE IN TERMS OF FEDERAL TAXES AND STATE TAXES AND SALES TAXES AND PROPERTY TAXES. I JUST THINK THAT WE'VE WORKED REALLY HARD AT THIS, I KNOW THE CHAIRMAN HAS DONE A TON OF WORK BEHIND THE SCENES. I KNOW THAT CONGRESSMAN BRADY HAS ALSO ADVOCATED FOR US. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS ASKED HAVE WE TALKED TO CONGRESSMAN BRADY.

YOU SHOULD REVEAL YOU USED TO WORK FOR THE CONGRESSMAN, SO HE DOES TAKE YOUR CALLS. I JUST THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WAS NOT A, THIS IS NOT A SLAPDASH APPROACH TO WHAT IS GOING ON AND IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT CERTAINLY ON THE CARES ACT FUNDINGS THAT NEARLY EVERY OTHER COMMUNITY LIKE US GOT FUNDED.

WE DIDN'T. SO I APPLAUD THE CHAIRMAN AND THE WORK OF THE STAFF FOR GETTING US TO THIS POINT.

>> AND WE DID HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATOR CORDEN'S OFFICE, SENATOR CRUZ'S OFFICE. IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE JUST ISOLATING TO THE REPRESENTATION. WE'RE TURNING EVERY STONE WE CAN TO ADVANCE THIS CAUSE. TO DIRECTOR BROWN'S POINT, WE RECEIVED SOME EMAIL CRITIQUE. THIS SHOULD BE EASY, FILL OUT AN APPLICATION AND BASED ON THE LANGUAGE YOU'LL BE FUNDED.

LET'S BE CLEAR, WE FILLED OUT THE APPLICATIONS FOR THE CARES ACT FUNDS TO THE COUNTY AND TO THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN FUNDED. AND THE LANGUAGE HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT WE ARE AN APPROVED RECEIVING ENTITY, SO IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE. AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THIS ARPA ACT BEFORE WE HAVE TO GO FIGHT FROM BEHIND AFTER THE COMMENT PERIOD EXPIRES ON THE 16TH.

SO WE'LL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THIS COMMUNITY IS BEING LEFT OUT OF AND IT'S NOT SMALL DOLLARS, IT'S UP TO $30 MILLION FOR ARPA ACT AND A REMAINING $5.8 MILLION ON CARES ACT

FUNDING. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR

CONCERNS? >> OKAY.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 9D?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, TODD.

[10. Receive, consider and act upon Incorporation Planning Study matters (as requested by Chairman Bunch); ]

[01:25:04]

>> THANK YOU. FOR THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAD NOT TUNED IN, WE DID HAVE A PLANNING SESSION LAST WEEK. IN ADDITION WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING A SERIES OF ARTICLES IN THE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE.

THE UPCOMING ONE FOR THE JULY ISSUE WILL INCLUDE A FAIRLY EXTENSIVE HISTORY OF THE GOVERNANCE STUDY PROCESS HERE IN THE WOODLANDS AND WE HAVE ALSO MADE A FEW UPDATES TO THE INCORPORATION WEBSITE WHICH IF YOU GIVE ME JUST A MINUTE, I

WILL PULL UP. >> JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON THE EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT HAS BEEN SPENT ON THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2018, THERE'S NOW BEEN 34 PUBLICLY HELD PLANNING SESSIONS OR SPECIAL MEETINGS REGARDING THE INCORPORATION STUDY TOPIC. THERE'S PROBABLY NOW 48 HOURS OF RECORDED VIDEO TABULATED BY SUBJECT ITEM FROM CONSULTANTS FROM PUBLIC COMMENT FROM INTERACTION WITH OUR BOARD.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS ON THE SITE THAT KAREN IS GOING TO WALK THROUGH SO PEOPLE WHO ARE WANING TO BECOME MORE EDUCATED ON THIS TOPIC WILL KNOW WHERE TO LOOK AND HOW TO SOURCE THESE DOCUMENTS. THERE'S FIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT STUDIES, TWO PAYMENT STUDIES, THREE DRAINAGE AND UTILITY DISTRICT STUDIES, FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, INCORPORATION PLANNING INITIATIVES, LEGAL OPINIONS OR LEGAL SUMMARIES.

YOU HAVE A THREE HOUR PLUS PUBLIC FORUM RECORDED FROM OUR FIRST PUBLIC FORUM AND THEN WE HAVE UPWARDS OF 90 PLUS PUBLICLY REQUESTED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AVAILABLE ON OUR SITE.

AND THEN THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS STUDIES ON THIS TOPIC GOING BACK TO 1999. AND THAT STARTED WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO NOT GET HE - ANNEXED JUST AFTER WE HAD A REVOLT. SO I KNOW WE GET THE PLEASE DON'T RUSH, BUT MY GOD IT'S BEEN 22 YEARS.

THERE'S NO RUSHING HERE. THERE'S MULTIPLE PLANNING AND UPDATES TO PLANS AND REVISITING PLANS AND BRINGING THINGS INTO THE CURRENT. SO I'LL LET KAREN SHARE WITH THE SITE THAT HAS A LOT OF THE INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR FEEDBACK TO OUR RESIDENTS.

THANK YOU, KAREN. >> SO THIS IS THE INCORPORATION STUDY SITE WHICH FOR EASE OF REFERENCE IS WWW.THEWOODLANDSINCORPORATION STUDY.COM.

IT CAN BE FOUND THROUGH THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE OR YOU CAN GO DIRECTLY TO THAT STUDY SITE. IT STARTS OUT WITH JUST A PLACE YOU CAN REGISTER FOR UPDATES AND IT'S A QUICK, EASY FORM.

OF COURSE YOU NEED TO, IT WILL SEND YOU AN EMAIL THAT ASKS YOU TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION SO IT IS A TWO-STEP PROCESS.

AND THEN WE DO HAVE A VARIETY OF INFORMATION AS THE CHAIRMAN MENTIONED. WE HAVE, I'LL JUST PULL UP EACH SECTION. SO ABOUT THE INCORPORATION STUDY, WE DO HAVE EXTENSIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STUDY AND YOU'LL SEE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE THERE, THERE ARE LINKS TO THE DOCUMENT LIBRARY, THE COMMUNITY FORUM WHICH IS THE THREE HOUR VIDEO THAT CHAIRMAN BUNCH JUST MENTIONED, THE DOCUMENT LIBRARY DOES INCLUDE EVERY ONE OF THE REPORTS THAT WERE PUBLISHED AS WELL AS PRESENTATIONS THAT WERE GIVEN BY THE CONSULTANTS THROUGHOUT THE 2018-2020 STUDY PROCESS.

IT INCLUDES MONTHLY UPDATES THAT WERE PROVIDED BY THE CONSULTANT, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE FINANCIAL MODELS THAT WERE USED, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT STUDIES THAT WERE PERFORMED. INFORMATION ON THE RESEARCH DONE INTO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICTS, THE PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT STUDY AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON PLANNING AND ZONING AND COVENANT ADMINISTRATION.

AND THE LINKS TO STATE LEGISLATION THAT APPLIES TO THE INCORPORATION OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP.

[01:30:06]

AND THEN WE DO HAVE THE FULL INCORPORATION CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON THERE. I'M NOT GOING TO OPEN IT RIGHT NOW. IT IS 322 PAGES LONG AND DOES INCLUDE THE FULL STUDY THAT WAS ANALYSIS PERFORMED BY THE CONSULTING GROUP AS WELL AS ALL OF THE COMPANION COMPONENTS AND APPENDIXES. IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN HISTORICAL INFORMATION, THAT CAN ALSO BE FOUND THROUGH THIS SITE IF YOU GO TO INCORPORATION FACTS.

WE DO HAVE, OF COURSE I DON'T REMEMBER WHERE IT IS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. BUT WE DO HAVE THE INCORPORATION PLANNING VIDEOS AS CHAIRMAN BUNCH MENTIONED, THOSE ARE ALL HERE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE AND WE DO HAVE LINKS TO HISTORICAL STUDY INFORMATION FROM WHEN THE RESOLUTION WAS PASSED BY PREVIOUS BOARDS DURING THE PREVIOUS STUDY PROCESS FOR ANYONE WHO'S INTERESTED IN A FURTHER BACK HISTORICAL

PERSPECTIVE. >> ANYBODY HAVE QUESTIONS FOR

KAREN ON THE SITE? >> GOOD JOB.

>> LOOKS GREAT, KAREN. >> I THINK WE DO HEAR AND WE ARE HEARING FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION OR THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE UNINFORMED.

TONIGHT'S REALLY ABOUT SHOWING PEOPLE WE HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION, WE HAVE THE VIDEOS, WE HAVE THE CONTENT, AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TRY TO BREAK THESE DOWN INTO DIGESTIBLE BITES FOR THE COMMUNITY. SO YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN IN LAST MONTH'S OR THIS MONTH'S WOODLAND MAGAZINE, WE INCLUDED SOME INFORMATION, A LITTLE MORE BROADER THAN WE USUALLY PUT IN THE MAGAZINE. EACH MONTH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATION PIECES AND THE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE GOES TO EVERYONE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO PRINT THE WHOLE 300 PLUS PAGES. BUT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PUSH OUT INFORMATION THROUGH ALL OF THE COMMUNICATION TOOLS THE WOODLAND TOWNSHIP HAS AVAILABLE TO IT TO LET OUR RESIDENTS GET MORE INFORMED ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC.

SO THIS SITE IS THE BEST RESOURCE, THIS IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL WOODLANDS INCORPORATION STUDY SITE.

AND WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHEN PEOPLE SEND THEM IN. AND WE OF COURSE WOULD LOVE TO SEE A ROOM FILLED WITH PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THIS TOPIC.

AND OF COURSE WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON OUR COMMUNICATION PIECES AND UPDATE ALONG THE WAY. IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, I THINK THAT WILL BE IT FOR TONIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK KENT.

YOU GAVE ME NEW INFORMATION TODAY REGARDING COMCAST AND THE FRANCHISE FEES OR THE PRIVATE ACCESS FEES THEY'RE CURRENTLY PAYING TO THE DEVELOPER. WE HAVEN'T HIT ON THE FACT FRANCHISE FEES COULD OR COULD NOT BE AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSE.

THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED THROUGHOUT THE LAST FEW YEARS.

A MUNICIPALITY I BELIEVE HAS THE RIGHT TO NOT HAVE FRANCHISE FEES. IT IS REQUIRED BY STATE CODE IN ORDER TO HAVE ANY USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAYS, THE FRANCHISE FEES EXIST. HISTORICALLY WE KNOW THAT THEY WERE REMITTING THEM TO THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY UP THROUGH 2014. SO FOR ENTERGY, THAT PRIVATE AGREEMENT WENT AWAY. WE REACHED OUT TO EVERY OTHER UTILITY IN THE WOODLANDS AND ASKED IF THEY WERE EMITTING TO A THIRD PARTY ANY FEES THAT COULD BE SUPERCEDED TO A FRANCHISE FEE, AND WE RECEIVED A BUNCH OF NON-RESPONSES.

WE ALSO ASKED THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY AND THEY WERE ALSO NOT RESPONSIVE. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FRANCHISE FEES, IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE A NEW FEE, IT MAY BE A REPLACEMENT OF THE FEE THAT'S ALREADY BEING COLLECTED.

WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY LEGITIMATE WAY OF KNOWING.

[01:35:04]

COULD THEY STACK THEM? I DON'T KNOW THAT PIECE.

WE DIDN'T GET ANY COOPERATION FROM ANY OF THE UTILITIES.

THEY MAY OR MAY NOT BE CURRENTLY COLLECTING ANY OF THESE FEES NOR DID WE GET ANY TRANSPARENCY FROM THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE RECEIVING THEM TO DATE.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT, IT COULD BE A NEW EXPENSE, OR IT COULD BE THE SAME EXPENSE GOING TO A DIFFERENT PARTY.

AND IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE LIQUOR TAX, WE DON'T CURRENTLY RECEIVE LIQUOR TAXES. WE WILL GET 10% OF THE LIQUOR TAXES AS AN INCORPORATED ENTITY THAT WON'T TAKE IT AWAY FROM ANYBODY ELSE. AS A MUNICIPALITY WE ARE.

AND SO THAT WILL BE NEW REVENUE TO THE COMMUNITY COMING FROM THE STATE COFFERS WHERE THE STATE DOESN'T FORMERLY SHARE IT WITH OUR GOVERNMENT. IT EXISTS, IT'S NOT WAIVABLE, AND IT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO CHARGE 5%.

I SAW THE THING FROM BUDA. I DON'T THINK WE'VE CALCULATED ESTIMATES BECAUSE WE'D HAVE TO LOOK AT THE CITY ACTUAL COSTS TO GET ANY KIND OF RELATIVITY TO THAT.

ALL RIGHT. YOU CAN, COME UP TO THE DAIS.

>> YOU MAY BE AWARE I THINK IT WAS 2004 THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS OR AT LEAST ONE OF THEM GOT INTO A SIGNIFICANT DISCUSSION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WITHOUT DOING SOME RESEARCH BUT ANNE MAY REMEMBER, BUT ANYWAY TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, BASICALLY THE WOODLANDS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY WAS AT THE TIME COLLECTING 3 MILLION, $4 MILLION AND RESIDENTS WEREN'T HAPPY ABOUT IT.

AND BASICALLY THE NUTSHELL WAS IT DOESN'T GO AWAY BUT I THINK THEY LET THEIR AGREEMENTS EXPIRE.

AND THE ONLY ONE THAT'S LEFT IS WITH COMCAST APPARENTLY.

NOW I'VE GOT SOME EMAIL ADDRESSES, I ENDED UP WITH SOME NAME OF I CAN GIVE IT TO YOU BECAUSE I'VE GOT IT IN A FOLDER.

BUT A FELLOW THAT'S IN A COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

AND ANYWAY I ASKED HIM TWO QUESTIONS, I SAID WHY WOULD COMCAST PUT UP WITH PAYING 5% WHEN YOUR COMPETITORS AREN'T? I WAS HOPING SOMEBODY IN HIGHER MANAGEMENT WOULD SAY WE'RE GIVING A MILLION DOLLARS TO THE WOODLANDS OR WHATEVER.

BUT ANYWAY GETTING BACK THEY HAVE A 5041C OR WHATEVER NONPROFIT WHICH I HAVE THE NAME OF.

THEY HAD FILED A TAX RETURN WHICH I HAVE, I CONTACTED THE LADY THAT SIGNED THE TAX RETURN AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT THEY FINALLY CALLED ME BACK AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE, SHE JUST WAS A SIGNER. SHE COULDN'T SHED ANY LIGHT.

BUT THE TAX RETURN DOES HAVE SOME INFORMATION OF 504 WHATEVER AND I CAN GIVE YOU THE NAME OF THE NONPROFIT THAT THEY HAVE BUT

YOU CAN PULL UP -- >> I'D BE HAPPY TO RECEIVE IT.

WE DID SPEND -- >> HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THEIR TAX

RETURN? >> I THINK STAFF SAID THEY GOT

IT. >> ANYWAY YOU CAN FIND OUT HOW MUCH THEY COLLECT. BUT THE ONE THING THAT GOT ME THE POINT OF IT IS I FOUND OUT THE FCC REGULATES FRANCHISE FEES NATIONWIDE. ANYBODY THAT'S ACROSS THE STATE LINES, MOST YOU CAN CHARGE IS 5% WHICH OF COURSE THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY CHARGES. ANYWAY THAT'S WHAT I LEARNED.

OF COURSE I'VE GOT COMCAST AND IT CAME UP IN YOUR STUDIES THAT COMCAST WAS STILL A FRANCHISE FEE PAYER, BUT THEY'RE THE ONLY ONE LEFT. NOBODY ELSE, ALL OF THE OTHERS APPARENTLY EXPIRED AND IT CAME ABOUT FROM THAT I DON'T WANT TO COMMENT, BUT IT WAS QUITE A BROOHAHA BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WENT TO THE DEVELOPER AND SAID WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT 3 OR $4 MILLION. AND IT'S KIND OF LIKE YOU FOUND OUT, THEY SUPPORTED THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE, RIGHT?

>> THERE YOU GO. THANKS.

THANK YOU, KEN, FOR SHARING WITH OUR PUBLIC THE AVAILABLE WEBSITE WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION REGARDING INCORPORATION.

WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REPORT?

[01:40:02]

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT.

[11. Receive, consider and act upon the following in connection with the issuance of the Unlimited Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2021 (the “Refunding Bonds”)(C-2021-0203): Approval of the Preliminary Official Statement and Official Notice of Sale and authorize distribution of the same; Authorize the Township’s financial advisor to advertise for the sale of the Refunding Bonds; Establish parameters for sale of the Refunding Bonds pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 1207.007; Approval of an Order authorizing the issuance of the Refunding Bonds, including delegation of authority pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 1207.007; Authorize the Township’s financial advisor to proceed with the preparation of a final Plan of Finance in connection with the Refunding Bonds; Approval and execution of a Paying Agent/Registrar Agreement by and between the Township and Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. in connection with the Refunding Bonds; Approval and execution of an Escrow Agreement by and between the Township and Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. in connection with the Refunding Bonds; Authorize completion and distribution of a Final Official Statement in connection with the Refunding Bonds; Authorize the payment of fees to the Attorney General of the State of Texas in connection with the Refunding Bonds; Authorize any other matters concerning the Refunding Bonds, including approval and execution of various documents for inclusion in the transcript of proceedings to be submitted to the Attorney General of the State of Texas; Authorize designated Township officer(s) or employee(s) to: Execute a Pricing Certificate relative to the Refunding Bonds; Authorize disbursement of proceeds relative to the Refunding Bonds; Authorize execution of closing documentation relative to the Refunding Bonds; Authorize execution and filing of an Internal Revenue Service reporting form relative to the Refunding Bonds; Authorize the Township’s disclosure counsel to file material events notices relative to the bonds to be refunded by the Refunding Bonds;]

MONIQUE. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING.

AT YOUR LAST BOARD MEETING, THE BOARD AUTHORIZED THE TOWNSHIP'S FINANCIAL ADVISER AND BOND COUNCIL AND STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE REFUNDING OF THE UNLIMITED TAX BONDS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN 2011 AND 2012. AND SO WE HAVE DONE THAT AND WE'VE MADE SOME PROGRESS. WE TOLD YOU AT THAT MEETING ALSO THAT AT THIS MEETING WE WOULD BE BRINGING BACK A LOT OF DOCUMENTS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION ON.

I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DREW MASTERSON WITH MASTERSON ADVISERS. I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER AND WE ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN, BOARD, AND STAFF. I'M HAPPY TO SEE EVERYBODY.

I'M HAPPY MY SUIT STILL FITS. WE ARE LOOKING AT REFINANCING THROUGH 2011 AND 2012 GO BONDS. ABOUT 8.1 MILLION TOTAL OUTSTANDING THERE. WHICH IS JUST OVER 9% OF THE OLD BONDS. WE WOULD PLAN ON HAVING A COMPETITIVE BID PROCESS TO THE UNDERWRITERS ON JULY 20TH.

SO THAT'S BASICALLY WHEN THE RATES ARE LOCKED ON THAT DAY.

AND THEN WE WOULD CLOSE IN AUGUST.

THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA, ITEM I IS THE PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT WHICH WAS HOPEFULLY IN YOUR PACKET.

I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH TREMENDOUS DETAIL ON THAT.

IT IS THE OFFERING DOCUMENT THAT GOES OUT TO THE BIDDERS ALONG WITH THE NOTICE OF SALE. IT ALSO GETS THE RED TAKEN OFF WITH THE FINAL NUMBERS FILLED IN AND GOES TO THE ACTUAL INVESTORS. IT IS YOUR DOCUMENT SO IF YOU'D LIKE I CAN HIT A 30 SECOND TO 60 SECOND SUMMARY OR BE HAPPY TO

ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> WE WERE PROVIDED THE 100 PLUS PAGES IN OUR BOARD PACKETS AND I HAVE GOT A NICE OUTLINED SUMMARY OF THE LONGEST MOTION I THINK I'LL MAKE IN THE HISTORY OF MY ELECTED LIFE, BUT FOR SAVING THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS, I WILL LOSE MY VOCAL CHORDS OVER THIS.

DOES ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS FOR DREW IN THE INTERIM?

>> DANIEL MAY WANT TO SAY A THING OR TWO ABOUT THE

RESOLUTION. >> ALL RIGHT.

>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

IN ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION THAT DREW PROVIDED, ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT YOU NEED TO DO TONIGHT, THIS HAS BEEN STRUCTURED AS A PARAMETER SALE. THE LAW ALLOWS YOU TO GO AHEAD AND APPROVE ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS AND STRUCTURE BUT TO LEAVE OUT THE PRICING TERMS BECAUSE IT WILL BE COMPETITIVELY BID ON JULY 20TH. ONCE WE HAVE THOSE PRICING TERMS, WE THEN INSERT THOSE INTO A SEPARATE DOCUMENT THAT'S REFERRED TO IN THESE DOCUMENTS. THE PARAMETER SALE RULES REQUIRE THAT YOU SET CERTAIN PARAMETERS. ONE IS A NOT TO EXCEED PART AMOUNT. WE WOULD RECOMMEND $8.5 MILLION.

WE THINK THAT WILL BE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TO COVER ALL OF THE SERIOUS 2011 AND 2012 BONDS THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE TO REFUND. ONE OF THE OTHER PARAMETERS IS A MINIMUM SAVINGS AMOUNT. THIS IS TYPICALLY STATED IN A NET PRESENT VALUE SAVINGS PERCENTAGE OF THE BONDS.

LAST TIME AROUND THE HILL DID REFUNDING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS WHICH WAS 2019. YOU SET A MINIMUM OF 5%.

I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE AGAIN.

AND AS DREW MENTIONED, BASED UPON WHERE RATES ARE TODAY, WE WOULD EXPECT FOR IT TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THAT.

AND THEN LASTLY, WE WOULD LIKE FOR THE BOARD TO PUT FEES ON THIS OF AUGUST 30TH THAT IF FOR WHATEVER REASON, WE CAN'T GET THIS TRANSACTION ACCOMPLISHED AGAIN, THAT YOUR AUTHORITY TO

[01:45:02]

FEASIBLE. >> SO THIS WOULD ALL BE IN THE

PARAMETERS SECTION? >> CORRECT.

THE PARAMETERS IS -- >> 1207-007.

OKAY. I'M ADDING MY LANGUAGE TO THIS ALREADY LONG SCRIPT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR DANIEL?

>> WHILE YOU'RE DOING THAT, DREW, I THINK YOUR SUIT ACTUALLY FITS LOOSELY SO YOU WERE QUITE SUCCESSFUL DURING THE --

>> I HAVEN'T WORN A SUIT IN A LONG TIME.

SPORTS COATS ARE MORE FORGIVING. I'M GOING TO TAKE A STAB AT THIS AND IF I MESS IT UP, OUR FINANCIAL ATTORNEYS AND ADVISERS ARE HERE TO RESTATE THINGS. I WILL GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE MOTION, I WILL BE LOOKING FOR A SECOND AT THE COMPLETION OF THIS LONG-WINDED STATEMENT. I MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE PLAN OF FINANCE AND AUTHORIZE STAFF, THE FINANCIAL ADVISER, AND BOND COUNCIL TO PROCEED WITH THE UNLIMITED TAX REFUNDING BOND SERIES 2021. APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT AND OFFICIAL NOTICE OF SALE AND AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTION OF THE SAME, AUTHORIZE THE TOWNSHIP'S FINANCIAL ADVISER TO ADVERTISE FOR THE SALE OF THE REFUNDING BONDS, APPROVE THE PARAMETERS FOR THE SALE OF THE REFUNDING BOND PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 1207-007 NOT TO EXCEED 8.5 MILLION WITH MINIMUM 5% SAVINGS TO BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST 1, 2021.

APPROVE ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF THE REFUNDING BONDS TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 1207-007.

AUTHORIZE THE TOWNSHIP'S FINANCIAL ADVISER TO PROCEED WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE FINAL PLAN OF FINANCE IN CONNECTION WITH THE REFUNDING BONDS.

APPROVE THE PAYING AGENT REGISTER AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP AND BANK OF NEW YORK MILLAN TRUST COMPANY, APPROVE THE ESCROW AGREEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE REFUNDING BONDS. AUTHORIZE THE COMPLETION AND DISTRIBUTION OF A FINAL OFFICIAL STATEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE REFUNDING BONDS. AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF FEES TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF TEXAS IN CONNECTION WITH THE REFUNDING BONDS. AUTHORIZE ANY OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING THE REFUNDING BONDS, INCLUDING APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF VARIOUS DOCUMENTS FOR INCLUSION IN THE TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT GENERAL MANAGER TO A EXECUTE A PRICING CERTIFICATE RELATIVE TO THE REFUNDING BONDS, B, AUTHORIZE THE DISBURSEMENT OF PROCEEDS RELATIVE TO THE REFUNDING BONDS, C, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE CLOSIN DOCUMENTS RELATIVE TO THE REFUNDING BONDS, D AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF AN INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE REPORTING FORM RELATIVE TO THE REFUNDING BONDS, E AUTHORIZE THE TOWNSHIP'S DISCLOSURE COUNSEL TO FILE MATERIAL EVENT NOTICES RELATIVE TO THE BONDS TO BE REFUNDED BY THE REFUNDING BONDS. DO I HAVE A SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? ABSTAINED? THANK YOU, SIRS.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND STAFF.

[12. Receive, consider and act upon the financial report;]

>> THIS IS THE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FIVE MONTHS ENDING MAY 31, 2021. WE'LL FIRST LOOK AT THE GENERAL FUND, OPERATING REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES.

[01:50:03]

THE RIGHT-HAND COLUMN SHOWS THE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF THAT VARIANCE. WE ARE UP THROUGH THE END OF MAY, WE WERE UP $260,000 IN OUR SALES TAX REVENUES AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT SALES TAX A LITTLE MORE IN JUST A SECOND.

OUR SALES TAX WE ARE OVER BUDGET BY $726,000.

AS I EXPLAINED BEFORE, THAT IS BECAUSE WE BUILT A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT UNCOLLECTIBLE RATE INTO OUR PROJECTIONS NOT KNOWING HOW COVID WOULD AFFECT PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS, BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY IMPACT AND THAT'S WHAT'S BEING SHOWN THERE.

ADMINISTRATIVE TAX IS UNFAVORABLE, THAT'S BECAUSE THE PAVILION HAS NOT BEEN ABLE YET TO HAVE A PERFORMANCE, BUT SOME ARE COMING UP. ANOTHER REASON THAT'S FAIRLY LARGE IS THERE WERE REFUNDS THAT WERE ASSOCIATED WITH TICKETS LAST YEAR THAT GOT PROCESSED THIS YEAR.

AND THEN IN OUR OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE, THOSE ARE ALL FAVORABLE EXCEPT FOR INTEREST INCOME WHICH IS UNFAVORABLE BY ABOUT A HALF MILLION DOLLARS, INTEREST RATES ARE JUST TERRIBLE RIGHT NOW SO WE ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO IMPROVE THAT.

BUT THERE'S JUST NOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF OPTIONS.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS VERSUS OUR BUDGET. WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT ARPA ACT FUNDS, YOU WOULD REVERT BACK TO PRE-COVID REVENUES, SO THE NUMBER OF LOSSES IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER.

WE JUST ADJUSTED OUR BUDGET TO THE BEST WE COULD, THEN PROJECT HOW SLOW OR FAST WE WOULD RECOVER WHEN WE DID OUR BUDGET

LAST YEAR. >> YES, THANK YOU.

THAT IS A GOOD POINT. IN TERMS OF OUR OPERATING EXPENDITURES, COME BACK TO THIS PAGE IN JUST A MINUTE.

IN TOTAL FOR YEAR TO DATE BUDGET, WE PROJECTED $39.3 MILLION. SO FAR OUR ACTUAL EXPENDITURES HAVE BEEN 34.5 MILLION, RUNNING A FAVORABLE EXPENDITURE BUDGET RIGHT NOW OF ABOUT -- SOME OF THE COMPONENTS MAKING UP THAT VARIANCE IN OUR VARIOUS COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.

FIRE DEPARTMENT WE'RE ABOUT 500,000 FAVORABLE.

OTHER EXPENDITURES, IT'S REALLY THE CYNTHIA WOODS PAVILION, THERE IS NOT REVENUE, WE HAVE NOT INCURRED THE EXPENSE.

AND BACK ON THE PRECEDING PAGE, GENERAL GOVERNMENTS ARE RUNNING ABOUT 900,000 FAVORABLE. IN TERMS OF OUR SALES AND USE TAX REVENUES, YEAR TO DATE IN 2020 WE COLLECTED ABOUT 5.4 MILLION. YEAR TO DATE BUDGET WAS AT 25.9 MILLION, AND OUR ACTUAL COLLECTIONS ARE AT $26.5 MILLION. SO HERE'S THE REPORT THAT EVERYONE IS USED TO SEEING. IN JUNE WE DID HAVE AGAIN A VERY POSITIVE TREND IN OUR COLLECTIONS AS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR WHICH OF COURSE WAS DURING COVID.

THIS TWO MONTH LAG, SO THIS IS REALLY REFERRING TO APRIL ACTIVITY. SO THROUGH THE END OF JUNE WE WERE ABOUT 590,000 OR 2.3% ABOVE OUR BUDGET.

IN TERMS OF OUR HOTEL TAX, I'LL JUST GO STRAIGHT TO THIS PAGE.

ABOUT 23% BEHIND BUDGET, BUT AGAIN YOU CAN SEE FROM THE LAST TWO MONTHS FROM WITH THAT I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER

[01:55:33]

[13. 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, 2020; ]

>>> THEY TALKED ABOUT GENERAL ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES RELATED TO THAT AUDIT. THAT AUDIT WENT VERY WELL, VERY CLEAN. WE WERE VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS. IN TERMS OF THE SINGLE AUDIT, AGAIN THIS IS RELATED -- IN TERMS OF EXPENDITURES OF THE FEDERAL AWARDS. A GROUPING OF REPORTS, SO IN ADDITION TO THAT ONE, THERE WAS ALSO IN THAT ONE THE AUDITORS REPORTED THAT THEY DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY EFFICIENCIES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED TO BE WEAKNESSES.

THEY DID NOTE IN THEIR REPORT IN TERMS OF REPORTING THAT WE DID HAVE A FINDING AND PROVIDED A REPORT TO THE AUDITORS.

IT WAS FINE IN TOTAL BUT WHAT WE DID NOT DO -- IN THAT REPORT RELATED TO FEMA OR HURRICANE HARVEY.

SO IN TOTAL THE REPORT WAS OKAY. >>> THE AUDIT COMMITTEE WHICH

[02:00:23]

YEAR DECEMBER 31, 2020. >> CAN I HAVE THAT AS A MOTION?

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED?

THAT IS APPROVED. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MONIQUE. AGENDA ITEM 14.

[14. Receive, consider and act upon an update from the One Water Task Force; ]

WATER TASK FORCE. >> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THAT, MR. CHAIRMAN. AND I'LL TRY TO KEEP IT BRIEF.

IN TERMS OF THE VARIOUS WATER ISSUES IN THE TOWNSHIP, I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THAT -- COMPLETE ALL PAPERWORK ON THE INTERLOCALS WITH THE VARIOUS ENTITIES THAT ARE FUNDING TO IT WILL BE A REALLY GOOD RESOURCE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THESE ISSUES ARE COMPLICATE AND HAD THERE'S A LOT OF OPINIONS AND I THINK THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.

TALKS ARE ONGOING WITH THE VARIOUS ENTITIES WITH WOODLANDS WATER ON FINDING PARTNERS TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST OF THE BARE BRANCH PANTHER BRANCH DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED LAST MONTH TO THE TUNE OF $11.5 MILLION. $1.5 MILLION IN GRANT MONEY AND A $10 MILLION, 30 YEAR NO INTEREST LOAN.

I'LL BE TALKING TO THE TRUSTEES AND TO JIM TO DISCUSS SOME STRATEGIES ON FINDING PARTNERS TO HELP THEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT. THE PROJECT WILL NOT ONLY HELP ALLEVIATE SOME RESIDENTIAL DRAINAGE, BUT IT WILL PRIMARILY, IT'S PRIMARILY DESIGNED TO TRY TO KEEP RESEARCH FOREST OPEN IN THE EVENT OF HEAVY RAIN EVENTS. AND MANY OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 2016 OR 2015 WHEN WE CLOSED FOR SEVERAL DAYS IN ALL OF THOSE EVENTS, VIRTUALLY CUTTING OFF THE BACK HALF OF THE WOODLANDS TO TRAFFIC. IT'S SAD REALLY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW IT BUT RUSS POPPY TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION A WEEK AGO AND HIS LAST DAY OF WORK WILL BE A WEEK AGO.

AND I WANT TO COMMEND HIM AND HIS TEAM FOR AN INCREDIBLE JOB IN ASSISTING THE ONE WATER TASK FORCE AND IDENTIFYING FUNDING SOURCES AND FINDING WAYS TO HELP US FIND MATCHING GRANT FUNDS AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE REALLY DIDN'T HAVE THE EXPERTISE.

IN FACT ON THE INITIAL STUDY FOR THE SPRING CREEK RESERVOIR, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ACTUALLY FUNDED THE MATCHING SHARE. SO RUSS, WE WISH YOU WELL.

AND I'M SURE HE WON'T BE UNEMPLOYED VERY LONG.

HE'S A VERY, VERY CAPABLE GUY. SUBSIDENCE IS A VERY BIG HOT

[02:05:02]

I WANT TO SAY PUBLICLY THAT I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT THE LONE STAR GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT HAS AGREED TO FUND A SECOND STUDY FOR THE COUNTY. THAT'S A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE RESULTS WHEN IT'S FINISHED. I ALSO WANT TO INFORM EVERYBODY THAT PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS REGARDING THE AMOUNT OF GROUNDWATER PUMPING THAT THE DISTRICT WOULD ALLOW. GO TO THEIR WEBSITE IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT, PLEASE DO SO. THE SURFACE WATER CONVERSION FEE THAT THOSE TWO ENTITIES -- A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING A RULING FROM THE COURT.

THIS COULD BE A REALLY, A HUGE RULING IF THE COURT COMES DOWN IN FAVOR, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT IF ANYBODY HAS ANY

QUESTIONS. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR CHAIRMAN OF THE ONE WATER TASK FORCE? HEARING NONE, DO WE HAVE A

MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REPORT? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED?

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

[15. Receive, consider and act upon a nomination to fill a vacancy on the Harris County Appraisal District Board; ]

>> AGENDA ITEM 15, RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON A NOMINATION TO FILL A VACANCY ON THE HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL

DISTRICT BOARD. >> THANK YOU.

AS YOU ARE AWARE THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP IS TREATED AS A CONSERVATION AND RECLAMATION DISTRICT FOR THE PURPOSE OF TALKING TO YOU JUST ABOUT THE REGULAR PROCESS, BUT WE WERE RECENTLY NOTIFIED THAT THEY HAVE A VACANCY ON THE BOARD.

THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR CONSERVATION RECLAMATION DISTRICTS HAS MOVED OUT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND WILL SERVE UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED. THE TERM FOR THIS POSITION FOR FILLING THE VACANCY WILL ONLY FILL THE REMAINING TERM FOR A POTENTIAL NOMINATION. THE TIMELINE FOR THE FILLING OF THE VACANCY IS THAT CURRENTLY IF THE BOARD IS INTERESTED IN NOMINATING SOMEONE, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO NOMINATE A SELECTION FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT.

THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT THOSE IS JULY 9TH.

SO IT IS A VERY SHORT WINDOW. ESSENTIALLY MEANING THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT RESOLUTION TODAY.

AFTER THAT THEY WOULD THEN SEND OUT BALLOTS TO EVERY CONSERVATION RECLAMATION DISTRICT -- IT IS ONE VOTE PER DISTRICT. IN 2019 WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THIS NOMINATION PROCESS, THE BOARD DID CHOOSE TO NOMINATE DIRECTOR BOB MILNER. AT THE ELECTION PROCESS, GLEN PETERS WHO WAS THE INCUMBENT WAS SUCCESSFULLY ELECTED, BUT THAT IS THE PERSON WHO HAS NOW MOVED OUT OF THE DISTRICT.

IN ORDER TO SERVE ON THE BOARD, A CANDIDATE MUST BE A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND HAVE RESIDED IN THE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. GENERALLY THE NOMINEE CANNOT BE AN EMPLOYEE OF THE TAXING UNIT SERVED BY THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT OR AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF APPRAISING PROPERTY. SO IF THE BOARD IS INTERESTED IN NOMINATING SOMEONE, WE DO HAVE A RESOLUTION PREPARED AND A COPY OF THE LETTER FROM THE CHIEF APPRAISER FOR HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN YOUR AGENDA MATERIALS.

>> OKAY. DO WE HAVE ANYONE TO NOMINATE?

>> WE ACTUALLY GOT THIS JUST IN TIME.

>> BOB, I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU THROUGH THAT.

[02:10:06]

SERVE AS OUR NOMINEE. >> SECOND.

>> AND TO BE CLEAR YOU WOULD BE DOING THAT BY PASSING A RESOLUTION 015-21 WHICH WAS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKETS.

>> ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A MOTION MADE AND SECONDED, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED?

THAT MOTION CARRIES. >> I ABSTAIN.

>> AND ONE ABSTENTION, I AM SORRY.

THANK YOU. AND GIVEN OUR TIMING WE ARE SIGNING THE RESOLUTION, HERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT THANK YOU, DIRECTOR MILNER FOR STEPPING UP AGAIN.

[16. Receive, consider and act upon a proposal regarding e-bikes on the Township pathways;]

>> BEFORE WE GET TOO FAR INTO THIS, I WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I WANT TO TABLE THIS FOR THE NEXT MEETING TO GIVE THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY MORE TIME TO WEIGH IN ON IT BEFORE WE DO ANYTHING. NOT THAT WE HAVE TO, I'M NOT SAYING WE CAN'T DISCUSS, BUT I JUST DON'T WANT --

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY COULD WE GET THE PRESENTATION AND THEN

TABLE IT? >> IT'S FINE, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW IN CASE THERE'S SOME ACTION THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, I'D LIKE TO HAVE TIME FOR THE RESIDENTS TO HAVE MORE INPUT.

>> OKAY. PRESENTATION BUT NO ANTICIPATION

OF ACTION. >> I DO HAVE A PRESENTATION.

WE HAD A NUMBER OF PUBLIC COMMENTS ON E-BIKES EARLIER THIS EVENING. I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A PRESENTATION OVERVIEW REALLY LOOKING AT THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION, WHAT DOES OUR PATHWAY SYSTEM LOOK LIKE, WHAT ARE E-BIKES AND OTHER MOTORIZED VEHICLES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT LAWS WE'RE GOING TO REFERENCE IN THIS PRESENTATION. AND ALSO AS DR. GIBBS MENTIONED WHAT COULD BE A PUBLIC PROCESS AS WELL AND PROVIDE YOU A RECOMMENDATION AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.

THERE WAS PUBLIC COMMENT IN MARCH AND APRIL REQUESTING E-BIKES BE PERMITTED ON THE PATHWAYS.

AND REALLY WHERE THIS KIND OF STICKS IS THE FACT THAT UNDER THE TOWNSHIP ORDER 019-09 WHICH I BELIEVE IS ATTACHED TO YOUR PACKET, NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED ON THE PATHWAYS.

AND IT DEFINES MOTORIZED VEHICLE AS ANYTHING THAT'S NOT HUMAN POWERED SO AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, A GAS-POWERED VEHICLE OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. THE BOARD DID REVIEW THIS, THERE WAS A BOARD MEMBER WHO HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ESPECIALLY WITH SCOOTERS, NOT E-BIKES, BACK IN 2013.

AND NO ACTION WAS MADE AT THAT TIME.

OUR PATHWAY, YES, SIR? >> JUST A CLARIFICATION, I KNOW THAT E-BIKES ESPECIALLY I THINK IT'S CLASS THREE E-BIKES THAT YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO PEDAL WAS IT -- 1 AND 3 YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE ASSIST TO BE KICKED IN.

SO YOU MAY, WHEN YOU SAY NOT HUMAN POWERED, IT MAY BE MOTORIZED ASSISTED, BUT IT IS HUMAN POWERED, JUST AS A

CLARIFICATION. >> AND WE'LL GO THROUGH SOME OF THOSE NUANCES LATER ON IN THIS PRESENTATION.

BUT THOSE ARE VERY GOOD POINTS. OTHER POINTS ABOUT OUR PATHWAY SYSTEM, THE MAJORITY OF OUR PATHWAY SYSTEM ARE EIGHT FOOTPATHWAYS THAT MEANDER THROUGH THE WOODS.

SIGHT LINES ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN A WIDE OPEN PATHWAY WHERE YOU CAN SEE 20, 30, 50 FEET AHEAD OF YOU.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE DATA WE RECEIVED THROUGH OUR VARIOUS REPORTS, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY USED AMENITIES THAT WE HAVE. AND AS WE KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES THE WOODLANDS GREAT, AS JENNIFER, THE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TALKED ABOUT CONNECTING HER TO SCHOOLS AND SHOPPING AREAS AND TO OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND IT'S USED BY A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE, THE WALKERS, STROLLERS, BIKE RIDERS, FOLKS ON NONMOTORIZED SCOOTERS AND CYCLISTS AS WELL. WE DID REVIEW THE BIKE AND

[02:15:05]

I CAN REMEMBER A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS BACK IN 2017 AND 2018 WHICH REALLY TALKED ABOUT TWO KIND OF PARALLEL SYSTEMS. ONE BEING FOR ROADS AND THEN THE PATHWAY SYSTEM.

AND WHAT WAS APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES FOR THE ROADS AND WHAT WAS APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES FOR THE PATHWAYS.

AND THERE WAS I THINK THERE WAS SOME CONSENSUS IN THAT STUDY THAT SAID THE FASTER YOU'RE GOING YOU REALLY NEED TO BE ON THE ROADS WHERE THE MORE LEISURELY RECREATIONAL BASE YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO USE THE PATHWAYS.

THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT SPEED LIMITS, THERE'S TECHNICALLY REALLY NO DEFINED SPEED LIMITS, IT TALKS ABOUT SPEED LIMITS IN THE PARKS AND PARKING LOTS, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT. AND FROM TALKING TO OUR INSURANCE FOLKS AND OUR RISK MANAGER CONSULTANT, THEY DO NOT RECOMMEND ANY CHANGES TO THE ORDER AT THIS POINT UNLESS THERE IS LEGISLATION CHANGE FROM THAT STANDPOINT.

SO WE GO TO LOOK AT MOTORIZED VEHICLES AND WHAT MAKES THE ORDER VERY, VERY SIMPLE TO ENFORCE IS IT'S A YES AND NO ORDER. IF IT'S A MOTORIZED VEHICLE, IT'S NOT ALLOWED. IF IT'S A HUMAN-POWERED VEHICLE THEN IT IS ALLOWED. AND SO YOU SEE VARIOUS PEDAL ASSISTS AND VARIOUS THROTTLES AND WHAT THEY'RE CAPABLE OF GOING. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE OPERATING AT 20 MILES AN HOUR OR 28 MILES AN HOUR. WE ALSO LOOKED AT HOW TO GO TO THE NEXT DEGREE, WHAT ELSE COULD BE CONSIDERED A MOTORIZEDED VEHICLE, NOT AN E-BIKE. WE CONTINUE TO BATTLE THIS AS WELL ELECTRIC SCOOTERS. AND YOU CAN SEE THEY COME IN ALL DIFFERENT SHAPES. SO IT'S NOT JUST A SIMPLE WHAT YOU SEE IN MANY CASES WITH THE BIRD SCOOTERS VERY SLEEK CENTERED, BUT PEOPLE HAVE BIG WHEEL SCOOTERS WHERE YOU CAN SIT DOWN. THEY'RE MAKING THEM IN ALL DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES. THE HOVER BOARD WHICH WAS IN THE MIDDLE WAS VERY POPULAR ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO.

YOU STILL SEE THEM AROUND HERE AND THERE, BUT THOSE WANED.

YOU HAVE GOLF CARTS AND I KNOW NANCY BECKER WAS MENTIONING THE GOLF CARTS ISSUE. BUT THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. SO REALLY WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH THIS IS IF THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE BOARD IS LOOKING AT, WHAT IS THE DEFINITION TO REALLY HONE IN ON THAT DEFINITION OF SOME THINGS ALLOWED AND OTHER THINGS ARE NOT. IN REGARDS TO THE LAWS THAT ARE OUT THERE, WE IDENTIFY TEXAS BILL 2188 WHICH GOES INTO THE TRANSPORTATION SECTION 504 AND UNLESS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED OTHERWISE FOR THE EXCLUSIVE OPERATION OF BICYCLES, OUR PATHWAYS ARE FOR WALKERS, OUR PATHWAYS ARE FOR ROLLERBLADERS, NOT THE EXCLUSIVE USE. AND ALSO THE DEPARTMENT OR LOCAL AUTHORITY MAY NOT PROHIBIT THE USE OF ELECTRIC BICYCLE IT GOES UNLESS THE AREA IS NOT OPEN TO MOTORIZED VEHICLES, SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE E-BIKE DISCUSSION IS THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED IF THE PATHWAY WAS SOLELY IDENTIFIED AS A BIKE PATH. ALSO THE BOARD MAY ALLOW THE E-BIKES IF THEY SO CHOOSE. IT'S UP TO THE BOARD'S DISCRETION. AS YOU SAW SOME PEOPLE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT E-BIKES, TWO PEOPLE WERE ENCOURAGED TO HAVE E-BIKES IN THE COMMUNITY. AND WE SENSE THERE IS OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OUT THERE -- SOME SORT OF PUBLIC MEETING WE THINK THAT WOULD BE A POTENTIAL OF THINGS WE COULD IDENTIFY AT THE STAFF LEVEL BUT REALLY GETTING MORE INFORMATION

[02:20:04]

>> THE REQUEST TO TABLE. BUT I THINK ALSO WITH THE ALLOWED DISCUSSION. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING THEY

WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS? >> I THINK I JUST HAVE A COMMENT, MR. CHAIRMAN, IF I MAY. IF YOU CAN REALLY LOOK AT IT BOTH WAYS OF COMMON FACTORS OF THIS IS BASICALLY ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF ANYBODY USING ANY TYPE OF EQUIPMENT, RIGHT. SO ANYBODY RIDING A NORMAL BICYCLE ON THE PATH -- THE PERSON ACTUALLY RIDING IT.

THE SECOND IS THERE IS NO REALLY PRACTICE OF THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT ON THE PATHWAY EVEN THE PARK RANGERS WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO MONITOR AND KEEP PEOPLE FROM GOING -- EVEN 20 MILES AN HOUR IS FAST TO BE ON THAT PATHWAY.

SO I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU MONITOR THAT.

BUT YOU CAN'T REALLY MONITOR ANYBODY WHO'S NOT RIDING AN

E-BIKE. >> RIGHT, AND REALLY WE TRIED -- EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION. THAT GOES FOR QUOTE UNQUOTE SPEED AND SAFETY ON THE PATHWAYS, DOG WASTE ON PATHWAYS, YOU SEE THE SIGNS THERE KINDLY RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. DIRECTOR BROWN, WE HAVE OUR PARK RANGERS IN THE PATHWAY PATROLS ARE STANDARD.

SO THEY'RE OUT THERE, BUT THAT'S THREE GUYS.

I'M TRYING TO GIVE YOU AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE WE CAN BE AND WHERE WE'RE NOT ABLE TO BE THERE EVERY MINUTE.

AND IT'S SIMILAR TO THE POLICE. >> YOU CAN ONLY HAVE AN E-BIKE BUT YOU CAN ONLY GO 15 MILES AN HOUR, THERE'S NO PRACTICAL WAY TO MAKE SOMEBODY ONLY GO 15 MILES AN HOUR.

WE JUST CAN'T. >> THE OTHER COMMENT THAT I WANT TO MAKE TOO, IF THE BOARD DESIRES AT SOME POINT TO CHANGE THE TOWNSHIP ORDER,. ONCE IT BECOMES THAT MOTORIZED

VHICLE THAT BECOMES A CONCERN. >> THIS IS VERY POPULAR IN RESORT AREAS IN MICHIGAN WHERE WE HAVE A SUMMER HOME.

BUT THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ONLY ALLOWS CLASS ONE BIKES TO BE OPERATED. IF YOU'RE USING THE THROTTLE TYPE YOU HAVE TO STAY ON THE ROADWAYS.

SO AND OF COURSE THEIR PATHS WERE CONSTRUCTED A LOT LATER IN THE GAME THAN A LOT OF OURS WERE AND THEY'RE WIDER AND YOU DON'T HAVE THESE TURNS. I MEAN A LOT OF THE PATHWAYS IN THE WOODLANDS REALLY AREN'T DESIGNED FOR ANY SORT OF HIGH-SPEED TRANSIT, PERIOD. WHETHER IT'S ON A MOTORIZED BIKE OR ON A REGULAR BIKE. SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME STUDY, I THINK TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE WE CAN DO THIS SAFELY IF AT ALL. BUT THE QUESTION I HAVE IS CAN WE RESTRICT THE TYPE OF BIKE OR IF WE DECIDE TO ALLOW THIS ON THE PATHWAY IT'S BASICALLY OPEN SEASON.

SO I THINK THAT'S ONE QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO GET ANSWERED.

>> I'D LIKE TO ALSO RESPOND ABOUT THE SAFETY.

[02:25:02]

IF SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE BEEN RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT IT WAS.

AND I THINK THE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND THE EDUCATION AS I KNOW YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAS DONE NEEDS TO CONTINUE AND WOULD REALLY ENCOURAGE BIKE THE WOODLANDS TO HELP WITH THAT BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THE E-BIKES FROM NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS AS WE HEARD FROM ONE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS THIS EVENING, MARYANN, A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY. HAVE LITTLE KIDS WHO RIDE THEIR BIKES OR ARE LEARNING TO RIDE THEIR BIKES BEING ON THE PATHWAYS OR THE WATERWAY AND WE AT TIMES DO NOT PAY ATTENTION.

AND I THINK AWARENESS, EDUCATION, AND SAFETY IS MY PRIMARY CONCERN IN ADDING ANYTHING ELSE.

>> ALL RIGHT SO I KNOW YOU WANTED TO TABLE.

WE CAN'T REALLY TAKE ANY ACTION TONIGHT ANYWAYS.

THE ONLY THING WE COULD DO WAS ASK FOR A PUBLIC HEARING OR ASK FOR MORE STAFF FEEDBACK. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S KIND OF CONFUSING WITH THIS PRESENTATION IS THE SPECIFIC REQUEST FROM CT AND HIS GROUP WAS DEALING WITH E-BIKES AND THEN WE CO-MINGLED IT WITH ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS.

I THINK AN E-BIKE IS UNIQUELY DIFFERENT IN THAT IT HAS PEDALS AND THE SCOOTERS AND THE GOLF CARTS AND THE OTHER THINGS ARE REALLY NOT THE SAME, YOU HAVE TO PEDAL IT OTHERWISE IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY POWER. BUT WE'LL HONOR THE REQUEST TO TABLE FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS AND AND SEE IF WE CAN'T FIND SOMETHING. I'VE RIDDEN AN E-BIKE.

WHO HERE HAS RIDDEN AN E-BIKE? >> NOT HERE BUT I HAVE OUTSIDE

OF THE CITY. >> YOU CAN RIDE THEM SLOW, YOU CAN RIDE THEM FAST. AND FRANKLY YOU CAN RIDE ANY BIKE FAST. AND I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY PART OF THE COMMENTARY IS I CAN RIDE A BIKE 30 MILES AN HOUR, MAYBE NOT TODAY, TEN YEARS AGO I COULD.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A HILL THAT STEEP IN THE

WOODLANDS. >> IRON MAN, YOU'RE NOT GOING 30 MILES AN HOUR, YOU'RE GOING TO GET RAN OVER.

AND I NEVER ROAD MY BIKE ON A PATHWAY BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY BLIND SPOTS, THERE ARE TOO MANY INJURIES OR SPIDER HAZARDS

AND KIDS AND CRACKED PATHWAYS. >> YEAH, THE UNEVEN PAVEMENT IS A HUGE ISSUE ON A LOT OF THESE OLDER PATHS TOO.

I THINK THAT IT DESERVES A LOOK. I JUST DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION

THAT COMES TO MIND. >> OKAY.

WE'LL TAKE NO ACTION AND APPRECIATE THE UPDATE AND CT,

[17. Receive, consider and act upon the acquisition of the Platos Pappas Marina from Brazos Transit District (C-2021-0236);]

AGENDA ITEM 17 RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON PAGES

337-435. >> SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST, RIGHT. OR SECOND TO LAST.

>> WHILE SHE'S PULLING THAT UP, THIS HAS BEEN MULTIPLE YEARS IN THE MAKING. AND SO GOOD TO GET SOME FINALITY

TO IT. >> GOOD EVENING, BOARD.

I'LL GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT THE FACILITY AND THEN TO GET TO THE RECOMMENDATION.

SO THE PLATOS PAPPAS MARINA WAS CONSTRUCTED BY BRAZOS TRANSIT DISTRICT. IN 2011 USING FEDERAL TRANSIT GRANT FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE NOW DISCONTINUED WATERWAY CRUISERS TRANSIT PROGRAM. IT IS LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF LAKE ROBINS DRIVE ON LAND PROVIDED BY LONG TERM GROUND LEASE BY THE WOODLANDS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

A LITTLE BIT OF A SALES PROCESS MILESTONE TIMELINE FOR YOU, IN MARCH OF 2020 AS YOU MAY RECALL APPROVED THE TRANSFER OF ALL BTD

[02:30:01]

WHEN CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF THIS FACILITY, THERE ARE A FEW POTENTIAL USES IDENTIFIED. WHILE THE FACILITY MAY CONTINUE TO BE USED FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT AUTHORITIES, GIVEN THE LOCATION ON THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY, IT COULD ALSO POTENTIALLY BE USED TO SUPPORT THE BOAT HOUSE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS OUR SWAN BOATS AND OTHER WATER CRAFT OR THE TOWN CENTER RANGER OPERATIONS. SO THE TOWNSHIP HAS TWO FUNDING OPTIONS THAT WE'RE PRESENTING TO YOU TONIGHT FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE MARINA EITHER USING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT GRANT FUNDS BY WAY OF THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION OR LOCAL FUNDS BY WAY OF THE TOWNSHIP'S CAPITAL RESERVE FUND.

IF THE FACILITY WERE TO BE PURCHASED USING FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS, THE FACILITY COULD ONLY BE USED TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TRANSIT OPERATIONS FOR THE DURATION OF ITS REMAINING USEFUL LIFE WHICH IS 29 MORE YEARS. SO WITH THIS POTENTIAL OTHER USES IN MIND, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE TOWNSHIP USE CAPITAL RESERVE FUNDS TO PURCHASE THE PLATOS PAPPAS MARINA FROM THE

BRAZOS TRANSIT DISTRICT. >> THE LAND LEASE I BELIEVE IS NOW EXPIRED OR GONE BECAUSE THE LAND HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE TOWNSHIP? SO THE TOWNSHIP HAS NEGOTIATED THE RIGHT AT OUR TIMING TO ACCEPT THE LAND BENEATH THE MARINA AT THE POINT THAT WE GOT IT TRANSFERRED IN FROM BRAZOS

TRANSIT. >> AS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE

COMMUNITY SERVICES AGREEMENT. >> RIGHT.

>> AND IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFER IN 2023.

>> RIGHT. SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BOARD UNDERSTOOD THAT WE'RE NOT TAKING THE PROPERTY AND THEN HAVING A LEASE UNDERNEATH IT.

WE COULD HAVE PERFECTED THE ENTIRE TITLE.

AND THE WAY OUR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES OPERATE AND OUR CASH FLOW POSITIVE, I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE NEXT 29 YEARS THAN NOT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION?

>> JUST ONE OTHER CLARIFICATION, WE ARE ESSENTIALLY OBLIGATED AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT TO TAKE OVER OR PURCHASE THIS, ARE WE

NOT? >> NO.

NO, WE ARE NOT. WE HAD AN AGREEMENT THAT BASICALLY SAID IF THE FTA WOULD APPROVE THE TRANSFER OR THE -- WE HAD AN AGREEMENT ON ALL OF THE BTT ASSETS.

THIS PARTICULAR ONE WASN'T GRANTED AND HAD TO GO THROUGH A FEDERAL DISPOSITION PROCESS. SO WE DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO IT, WE HAD THE RIGHT TO LINGER FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

WHICH IS WHY I SAID THIS HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.

AND NOW WE HAVE BEEN PRESENTED WITH TWO OPTIONS WE HAVE THE

RIGHT TO TAKE ACTION ON. >> FOR PURPOSES OF COMPARISON, WHAT DID IT COST US TO BUILD A BOATHOUSE?

>> I THINK THAT WAS MILLIONS. >> THAT'S THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE. I AGREE CHAIRMAN BUNCH THAT I WOULD LOVE TO GET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR LIFE THERE. SO I WOULD CERTAINLY SUPPORT GOING AHEAD AND PURCHASING THE BOATHOUSE AND USING IT TO SUPPORT THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT.

>> AND I WOULD SECOND THAT. >> I WILL TAKE THAT AS A MOTION AND A SECOND AND CLARIFY THAT THE FUNDING TO COME FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUNDS IF ACCEPTED AS A MODIFICATION?

[02:35:02]

SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT GREAT.

WE HAVE A POTENTIALLY FREE AND CLEAR BOAT FACILITY, NOW WE CAN

[18. Receive, consider and act upon a marketing plan for the Best City to Live in America designation according to Niche.com;]

WALDEN. >> THANK YOU.

ON THAT LAST AGENDA ITEM, THAT'S SOME GREAT WATERFRONT PROPERTY, LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

SO BACK IN 1974, GEORGE MITCHELL HAD A VISION OF HAVING THE WOODLANDS AS THE NUMBER ONE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.

AND PLEASED TO REPORT IN THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, WE RECEIVED THE RANKING OF THE NUMBER ONE BEST CITY TO LIVE BY NICHE.COM. AND THAT'S WORTH A ROUND OF APPLAUSE I THINK NUMBER ONE. SO IT'S THE FIRST THING I HAVE TO ASK IS HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING THE DIRECTOR OF NUMBER ONE? IT'S GOT TO FEEL GREAT. CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH ONE OF YOU AND STAFF AS WELL AND ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN. IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, RENEE. WHAT'S AMAZING TO ME THOUGH, THIS ORGANIZATION NICHE.COM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A FEW YEARS SINCE ABOUT 2013 AND REALLY KIND OF STARTED OUT SLOW BUT REALLY HAS GAINED SO MUCH TRACTION. THIS AWARD, ONCE IT WAS WON AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS PANDEMIC EARLIER THIS YEAR IN I GUESS JANUARY TIMEFRAME WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED.

BUT BACK IN ABOUT MARCH OR APRIL WAS STARTING TO BE PICKED UP BY SEVERAL MAJOR NEWS ORGANIZATIONS.

SO THE LOCAL ONES FIRST, THE HOUSTON TV STATIONS ALL COVERED IT, THEN STATE COVERED IT, THEN THIS WAS ON CBS NATIONAL NEWS WITH THE WOODLANDS AS THE NUMBER ONE BEST CITY TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES, TRAVEL AND LEISURE THEN PICKED IT UP AND SENT IT OUT. SO I MEAN THIS THING REALLY GOT SOME SERIOUS MOMENTUM AND STILL HAS THAT MOMENTUM.

AND I THINK WHAT I WANT TO DO NOW IS TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE USE THIS IN PROMOTING THE WOODLANDS. THIS IS A GREAT SOURCE OF AFFIRMATION I THINK FOR ALL OF OUR HOMEOWNERS, OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR BUSINESSES TO LIVE IN THE NUMBER ONE CITY IN THE UNITED STATES. WE'VE BEEN USING THIS IN OUR PROMOTIONS IN SOCIAL MEDIA, TRADITIONAL MEDIA, I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU VERY BRIEFLY OF HOW WE'RE USING THAT AND HOW WE WOULD LIKE TO USE IT EVEN FURTHER THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR. WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY AS A STAFF THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A HIGHER VISIBLE PRESENCE ABOUT THIS RANKING THINKING OR KNOWING THAT OUR RESIDENTS WILL LOVE THIS IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY SEEN IT WE WANT TO DO SOME THINGS THAT REALLY EMPHASIZE IT EVEN MORE. AND THIS FALL IS GOING TO BE REALLY A GREAT FALL FOR US. AFTER COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC OVER THE LAST 15, 16 MONTHS, THINGS YOU'RE GOING TO SEE OPENING UP. WE TALKED ABOUT THE PAVILION A LITTLE BIT EARLIER. 40 CONCERTS ON THE BOOKS THIS YEAR. THAT'S IN THE NEXT FIVE MONTHS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE ROCKING. THERE'S GOING TO BE A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT COMING OUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS ABOUT A SHOW COMING HERE TO THE WOODLANDS THAT WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE LIKE THIS IS, THINGS ARE HAPPENING FOR US.

MEMORIAL HERMAN IRON MAN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ON OCTOBER 9TH. WE NEED TO SHOWCASE WE ARE NUMBER ONE. AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SHOW HERE. SO NEXT SLIDE IF WE WILL.

SO WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING TO DATE? I'M SORRY, RENEE, RENEE HAS GOT THE BUTTON THERE.

SO WE HAVE BEEN PLACING THIS LOGO AND THIS LOGO WAS DEVELOPED BY NICHE. NICHE GAVE US THIS LOGO TO USE AND THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE BEST CITY IN AMERICA TO LIVE IN AMERICA. REALLY STILL THINK ABOUT THAT, NUMBER ONE BEST CITY TO LIVE IN AMERICA.

SO WE'VE BEEN USING THIS IN OUR NEW RESIDENT TOOLKIT WEB PAGE AND AGAIN. IN OUR ADVERTISING THAT WE HAVE LIKE THIS IS OUR UPCOMING ADVERTISING FOR RED HOT AND BLUE, WE TALKED ABOUT ALL OF THE GREAT ACTIVITIES FOR 4TH OF JULY. IN OUR SOCIAL MEDIA POST, MAYBE YOU'VE SEEN THOSE AS WELL. S WE USE THE LOGO AGAIN THAT NICHE HAD DEVELOPED. NOW WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO, SO I

[02:40:05]

WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO TO ACCENTUATE THIS EVEN MORE? WE WANT TO GET THIS MESSAGE OUT TO PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING TO OUR FACILITIES. WHETHER THEY'RE COMING TO OUR TOWN HALL, OUR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO A PLACE WHERE WE'RE NUMBER ONE.

AND SO THIS WOULD BE KIND OF AN EXAMPLE HERE OF HOW WE WOULD USE THAT AT OUR DOORS RIGHT OUT HERE, BUT ALSO IN OUR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO USE THIS ON OUR TRUCKS, IN OUR VEHICLES THAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT.

AND ONE OTHER IDEA THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO AND TO IMPLEMENT AS WELL IS OUR STREET POLE BANNERS THROUGHOUT THE WOODLANDS AND THIS WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE UTILITY POLE BANNERS THAT ARE OUT ON THE ROADWAYS, ALSO ALONG THE WATERWAY IN OUR PARK SYSTEMS AS WELL. NEXT SLIDE.

JUST WANTED TO UPDATE THE BOARD ON WHAT STAFF IS DOING AND LOOKING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THIS REPORT AND GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> I LIKE THE REDESIGN, THE BANNERS LOOKED ACTUALLY BETTER

THAN I EXPECTED. >> GOOD.

>> DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS, ANYONE? IT'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE PROUD

OF. >> VERY MUCH SO.

>> SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND TO YOUR POINT THIS FALL WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IN OUR AREA FOR ALL OF THE VARIOUS EVENTS THAT YOU NOTED.

I THINK IT'S GOOD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK OF THE LAST WHAT, 47

YEARS. >> 47 YEARS, YEAH.

>> 47 YEARS OF WORK TO GET TO THAT POINT.

THIS ISN'T HIGH DOLLAR COSTS, THIS IS A VERY LOW COST WAY TO PROMOTE THE COMMUNITY'S SUCCESS. IT MAKES SENSE TO ME.

>> JUST CURIOUS TIMEFRAME. >> FOR THIS? A LOT OF THESE ARE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED IN OUR SOCIAL MEDIA, IF YOU LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE WE HAVE THIS.

BUT ARE YOU TALKING LIKE THE BANNERS?

>> UH-HUH. >> SO MID-AUGUST.

HOPEFULLY MID-AUGUST, I'M SORRY, MID-JULY.

SO THE FLAG BANNERS ARE UP RIGHT NOW? SO ONCE THOSE, WE COULD HAVE THESE BANNERS REPLACE OUT FLAG BANNERS AT THE SAME TIME. SO THAT'S MID-JULY.

>> THANK YOU. >> I WILL TELL YOU THAT I DID MAKE A POINT WITH TREASURY THAT THE WOODLANDS IS THE NUMBER ONE CITY IN AMERICA TO LIVE AND IT'S ALSO THE ONLY ONE CURRENTLY

ALLOCATED $0. >> AND THAT IS THE AWARD, NUMBER ONE CITY. THAT IS WHAT NICHE.COM SAYS.

>> SO I ADDED THAT TO MY ARGUMENTS WHY WE SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE HOW UNFORTUNATE WOULD IT BE THAT WE HAVE THE BEST PLACE IN AMERICA TO LIVE EXCLUDED FROM $350 BILLION IN

STIMULUS. >> YEAH.

>> SO WE WILL DO ALL WE CAN. >> CHAIRMAN, I AGREE.

I THINK THAT THIS IS OUTSTANDING.

A QUESTION ABOUT LOOKING AT YOUR SIGN, TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THE FLOAT BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO EMPHASIZE THIS ON THE FLOAT.

>> OH YES IN THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE.

>> EXACTLY. >> THAT'S COMING UP ON SATURDAY,

JULY 3RD. >> THANK YOU.

>> SO THE TOWNSHIP WILL HAVE A FLOAT PROMOTING THIS RANKING BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT MAYBE HAVE NOT SEEN THIS RANKING AND WE FEEL LIKE THAT NOW PEOPLE OUT AND ABOUT AFTER THE PANDEMIC AND GATHERING IN MARCH CROWDS WE'RE ANTICIPATING PEOPLE WE NEED TO TELL THEM WE'RE NUMBER ONE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> THA FLOAT IS GOING TO BE TELLING INDIVIDUALS THAT. WE ALSO HAVE SOME FUN THINGS IN THERE WITH THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY AND HOW WE'RE ONLY 1 OF 10 PLACES THAT HAS THAT DESIGNATION.

SWAN BOATS THAT WAS A BRILLIANT IDEA A FEW YEARS AGO, AND I KNOW THOSE ARE SETTING ALL KINDS OF RECORDS RIGHT NOW WHICH IS AWESOME. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REPRESENTATION OF SWAN BOATS ON THERE.

JUST THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT WE DO WITH THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP FOR THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE.

>> COULD YOU TOTE THE DIRECTOR IN A SWANBOAT BEHIND THE FLOAT

WITH ONE OF THOSE FOAMY THINGS. >> THAT'S IT, WE'RE NUMBER ONE.

>> YOU WANT THAT AS A RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF,

DIRECTOR MILNER? >> IT WILL BE DIRECTOR BOB

MILNER. >> WE'RE DEVIATING FROM THIS

AGENDA ITEM. >> YEAH, WE ARE.

>> SO DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MARKETING PLAN?

[02:45:02]

>> MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? WE DO NOT HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION

[22. Board announcements; and]

>> I DO HAVE TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS. >> OKAY.

>> ONE I WAS REMISS WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE AUDIT AND ASKED IT TO BE APPROVED IS THAT MONIQUE AND HER TEAM WERE INCREDIBLE. AND OUR AUDITORS HAD NOTHING BUT THE HIGHEST OF PRAISE FOR EVERYTHING THAT SHE AND HER STAFF DO. SO CONGRATULATIONS MONIQUE ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US. AND SECOND NANCY BECKER SAYS SHE WANTED US TO KNOW THAT SHE ALSO WANTED THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION TO BE INVOLVED WITH REGARD TO KIRKENDAL AND THE OTHER ENTITIES THAT SHE AND DIRECTOR MILNER ARE WORKING

WITH. >> OKAY.

ANY OTHER BOARD AGENDA ITEMS? >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TOO TO NOTE THAT ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO GET DONE DOWN THERE --

>> YEAH, THEY'RE INVOLVED. >> I KNEW THEY WOULD BE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTOOD THAT HE IS AND HE'S THE MAN WHEN IT COMES TO THIS.

>> QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE COVID-19 CALL CENTER FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY WILL BE CLOSING ON JUNE 30TH.

SO IF PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS AND WANT TO CALL IN THEY SHOULD DO

SO BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH. >> ALL RIGHT.

ANY AGENDA ITEMS? ANYMORE ANNOUNCEMENTS?

IF NOT, A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> WE ARE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.