[15. Recess to Executive Session to discuss matters relating to real property pursuant to §551.072, Texas Government Code; deliberation of economic development negotiations pursuant to §551.087, Texas Government Code; discuss personnel matters pursuant to §551.074, Texas Government Code; discuss IT network or critical infrastructure security pursuant to §551.089, Texas Government Code; and to consult with The Woodlands Township’s attorney pursuant to §551.071, Texas Government Code;]

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

>> AYE. >> WE'LL MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE'LL DO THAT AND WE'LL BE BACK OUT. WE ARE RECESSING TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO REAL ESTATE PROPERTY PURSUANT TO CODE, DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS PURSUANT TO 551.074 AND TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. WE ARE RECESSED.

[11. Receive, consider and act upon a quarterly update on Law Enforcement;]

WE ARE RECONVENING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THERE IS NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN. WE WERE ASKED TO MOVE UP OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT SO WE COULD LET OUR FINE LAW ENFORCEMENT GENTLEMEN RETURN TO THEIR FAMILIES.

>> AND WOMEN. >> AND WOMEN.

I'M SORRY IF I MISSED A FEMALE OFFICER IN THE BACK.

TO MAKE OUR QUARTERLY REPORT. WE'LL START WITH CAPTAIN HOLLI HOLLIFIELD.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE. I HAVE WITH ME, SERGEANT MIKE RUBY. IT IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TO YOU OUR THIRD QUARTER PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT.

I TOOK LIBERTY OF KEEPING FROM JANUARY SO WE WERE ABLE TO LOOK AT TRENDS. WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT ARE THE CALLS FOR SERVICE. YOU CAN KIND OF SEE.

I'LL REMIND YOU THOSE IN GREEN REPRESENT THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP IN MONTGOMERY AND THOSE IN BLUE REPRESENT THE WOODLANDS IN

[00:20:01]

HARRIS COUNTY AND SERVICED BY CONSTABLE HERMAN'S OFFICE.

THAT AT THE TOP GIVES YOU THE TOTAL OF THOSE TWO CATEGORIES OF CALL FOR SERVICE. WE ARE TRENDING AS WE DO HISTORICALLY AROUND THE 13,000 MARK OF CALLS FOR SERVICE.

THE CRIME CATEGORIES OF NOTE, THIS IS WHERE PREVIOUS BOARDS OF DIRECTORS HAVE REQUESTED CERTAIN ITEMS BE LISTED AND SEPARATED OUT SO YOU COULD SEE WHERE CRIME TRENDS WERE GOING.

YOU WILL NOTICE AS WE GET BACK TO SCHOOL AND VACATION TIMES WE GET CALLS FOR SERVICE THAT GENERATE REPORTS.

THESE ARE ACTUAL REPORTS THAT WERE GENERATED.

THESE ARE THE CATEGORIES THEY HAVE ASKED.

THEY HAVE CATEGORIZED THOSE DIFFERENTLY.

THE ONES WE ARE CAPTURING NOW IN THOSE NUMBERS INCLUDE FAMILY VIOLENCE CALLS. YOU'LL NOTICE IN THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP WE HAVE 79 FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD WHERE WE HAD ONE IN CREEK SIDE AND THEN ASSAULTS EXCLUDING FAMILY VIOLENCE, THOSE WOULD TYPICALLY COME OUT OF A DISAGREEMENT PERHAPS ALONG THE WATERWAY, THAT'S WHERE WE GET THOSE AND WE ARE AVERAGING 10 A MONTH. I WON'T BORE YOU WITH GOING THROUGH THE REST OF THESE. I'LL DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE CATEGORY WHICH ARE INFORMATIONAL REPORTS.

THESE ARE THINGS LIKE A MISSING CHILD, A RUNAWAY, A CHILD WHO DIDN'T REPORT HOME AS HE OR SHE SHOULD HAVE.

THESE ARE WHAT THOSE TYPES OF CALLS ARE.

WHILE THEY AREN'T CRIMINAL BY NATURE.

IT IS A REPORT WHERE IT MAY REQUIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION SO WE DO CAPTURE THOSE AND WE KEEP THOSE.

WE HAVE FROM TIME TO TIME, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAY PASS AWAY AT THEIR HOME WHO MAY BE ON HOSPICE CARE. THESE INFORMATIONAL REPORTS.

AS I PRESENTED THE LAST QUARTER AND I'LL CONTINUED TO KEEP THIS GOING, THOUGH IT MAY GET MURKY TO READ, THIS STARTS JANUARY 1.

IT GIVES YOU JUST A ROLLING PERIOD OF WHAT OUR CRIME TRENDS LOOK LIKE, WHY WERE THEY UP, WHY WERE THEY DOWN.

WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT AS PART OF OUR PREDICTIVE POLICING MODELS. WE ARE TRACKING THINGS LIKE BURGLARIES, AUTO THEFT AND THEFTS.

WE THEFTS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM STEALING OFF SOMEONE'S FRONT PORCH, GETTING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

PORCH PIRATES DO OCCUR. WE WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ALWAYS MONITOR ITEMS THAT ARE LEFT OR DELIVERED AND LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE MEANS TO SECURE SHIPPINGS YOU MAY RECEIVE AT YOUR HOME. THEN, OF COURSE, THE DIRECTOR OR VICE PRESIDENT READ EARLIER, I APPRECIATE HIM HONORING DEPUTY ATKINS. I WOULD GIVE THE MICROPHONE, SO THEY CAN TALK ABOUT THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT THEY HAVE

RECEIVED. >> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATED THE PHONE CALLS, YOU KNOW, EVEN WITH THE SUPPORT FROM THE BOARD. YOU ARE AMAZING.

IT IS AMAZING. THEY JUST POURED OUT WITH LOTS OF PRAYERS. THAT REALLY HELPS THE DEPARTMENT AND THE FAMILY. IT IS GOING TO BE TOUGH TIMES FOR THE FAMILY AND THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL.

IT IS ALWAYS TOUGH WHEN YOU LOSE ONE OF YOUR OWN.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

I KNOW THE CONSTABLE REALLY APPRECIATES THAT AS WELL.

>> WITH THE PRESENTATION COMPLETED, WE'LL ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS OR TRY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR PERHAPS FOR THE NEXT MEETING IF THERE IS SOMETHING FOR YOU.

>> I LOVE SEEING THE TREND GO DOWN LIKE THAT.

THAT'S A 20% REDUCTION IN MAJOR CRIMES IN THE THIRD QUARTER.

REFRESH MY MEMORY, I KNOW WE HAD AN ACTIVE BURGLARY RING OPERATING IN THE COMMUNITY. DID YOU TERMINATE THEIR QUARTERS

LAST QUARTER? >> WHERE WE ARE AT, WE HAVE ARRESTED SEVERAL. WHAT WE FIND IS MIDWEST PEOPLE THAT WE ARE TAKING INTO CUSTODY ARE OUT ON BOND.

[00:25:01]

SO WE CONSTANTLY DEAL WITH THAT. THERE IS A MOVEMENT FOR BOND RE REFORM.

SO I BELIEVE THAT CERTAIN JUDGES HAVE RECEIVED SOME RECOGNITION, PERHAPS OF THEIR METHODS AND PERHAPS THEY ARE REVIEWING THOSE AND RESETTING THE CLOCK ON WHAT IS REASONABLE.

EVERYONE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO BOND.

HOWEVER, WHEN A PERSON HAS A PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR THAT EXPOSES OTHERS TO HARM OR RISK, PERHAPS WE HAVE TO REEVALUATE THAT.

AS WE ARREST PEOPLE ON BOND, WE ARE ASKING COURTS TO REVOKE THAT PREVIOUS BOND AND PERHAPS ELEVATE THAT BOND AMOUNT TO SOMETHING THAT IT WOULD BE REASONABLE, TO BE COMPLIANT WITH LAWS. MANY OF THESE PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, THE HIGH END BICYCLE THEFTS.

WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THEM. THEY ARE LIVING TO THE SOUTH.

SO THEY IMPACT NOT ONLY US BUT THE CITIES OF SHANDOAH.

SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH. WE SEE OUR BURGLARIES GO UP AND DOWN, WE'LL ARREST THEM. THEY'LL GO DOWN.

THEY WILL CERTAINLY CRATER OUT. THEN A NEW CREW WILL COME IN AS THEY COME IN AND REPLACE THEM. WE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY MONITOR AND WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE ACCOMPLISH A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

>> IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, WE'LL MOVE TO SERGEANT ATKINS. PLEASE GO HOME TO YOUR FAMILIES.

GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

THIS IS THE THIRD QUARTER FROM THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE.

INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN, 11 CASES ASSIGNED, SIX WARRANTS, 20 DEVICES PROCESSED. SEVEN FELONY CHARGES.

ONE MISDEMEANOR CHARGE. WARRANTS WERE SERVED, THEY OBTAINED CHILD EXPLOITATION VIDEO THAT WERE TRANSMITTED VIA DROP BOX. RESIDENTIAL SEARCH WARRANT LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF INFORMATION LEADING TO A POSSIBLE SEX ABUSE CASE HAPPENING AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS.

A MALE SCHOOL EMPLOYEE WAS ARRESTED FOR MATERIALS.

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT MATERIAL BEING TRADED BETWEEN GROUPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. CHILDREN SAFE HARBOR, 38 CASES ASSIGNED, 30 SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATIONS, EIGHT CHILD INVESTIGATIONS AND FOUR CHARGES FILED. AFTER A FOUR MONTH INVESTIGATION, AN ADULT FEMALE WHO WAS EMPLOYED IN A CHILD CARE FACILITY WAS ARRESTED FOR INJURY TO A CHILD.

SHE ALLEGEDLY CAUSED INJURIES TO A 3-YEAR-OLD.

DURING AN UNDERCOVER OPERATION, AN ADULT MALE WAS ARRESTED FOR A NARCOTICS OFFENSE WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MEET WITH A CHILD.

PLEADINGS AND CONVICTIONS AFTER AN EIGHT-MONTH INVESTIGATION, AN ADULT MALE WAS ARRESTED. THIS IS JODY JAMES MALONE.

HE HAD ESTIMATED OVER 100 VICTIMS WITHIN MONTGOMERY COUNTY. OUT OF THOSE 100, I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE 65. OUT OF THOSE 30 INTERVIEWED.

JODY MALONE HAS 50 YEARS WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE FOR

[00:30:03]

THOSE CRIMES. QUARTERLY COMPARISONS FOR CHILDREN SAFE HARBOR INVESTIGATION, SECOND QUARTER VERSUS THIRD QUARTER. AND THEN QUARTERLY INVESTIGATION FOR I CAP INVESTIGATIONS. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> ANY QUESTIONS? >> I HAVE ONE QUICK ONE, DO YOU FEEL WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION THAT YOU ARE WELL EQUIPPED AND HAVE ENOUGH MANPOWER TO DEAL WITH THE WORKLOAD YOU HAVE?

>> SO I FEEL I CAN SPEAK FOR MYSELF.

I FEEL I AM WELL EQUIPPED. CASES, ESPECIALLY WHAT COMES WITH CYBERTIPS, BECAUSE OF THE COVID, THERE HAS BEEN AN ENORMOUS BACKLOG. SO THERE ARE SOME CASES THAT ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED THAT ARE HERE IN THE WOODSLANDS AREA BECAUSE OF AMOUNT OF INVESTIGATION. WHEN YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THESE, FOR LACK OF BETTER TERM, THESE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY RINGS OPERATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN DOWN ONE OF THEM. THE ENTIRE TASK FORCE WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY MEMBERS OR GET CHARGES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS OR REFER TO THE PROPER JURISDICTION.

THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS. >> I ALWAYS SAY, ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO ASK. DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT BECOMES OVERBURDENSOME WITH THE WORKLOAD.

WHEN YOU GET TO A POINT WHERE YOU NEED HELP TO REACH OUT, ESPECIALLY TO THE COUNTY. IF WE NEED HELP, GET HELP WITH THE COUNTY, ALWAYS SAY SOMETHING.

DON'T FEEL AS THOUGH YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING.

>> I APPRECIATE IT. DON'T GET ME WRONG, I DON'T FEEL OVERWORKED BUT WHEN THE PROSECUTORS ARE TRYING TO -- BECAUSE WITH THE TASK FORCE, THE PROSECUTORS ARE THE ONES THAT CONTROL THE CYBERTIPS, THEY WERE NOTICING THAT PRECINCT 3 AND PRECINCT 4 HAD COMPARATIVELY LARGER.

IN ORDER TO HELP OUT SPREAD ACROSS THE TASK FORCE.

>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY NOT ONLY ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY, HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU AND THE OTHER OFFICERS DO ON BEHALF OF ALL THESE CHILDREN.

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL. >> EAPPRECIATE THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET INTO THE SCHOOLS.

BUT BECAUSE OF COVID IT HAS MADE IT HARD SO I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT OTHER AVENUES TO INCLUDE DOING RECORDED OR ZOOM MEETINGS TO REACH PARENTS BECAUSE IT IS REALLY -- THE KIDS ALREADY KNOW.

IT IS THE PARENTS THAT DON'T KNOW.

THEY DON'T KNOW THE APPS. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. IF PARENTS AREN'T TRULY INVOLVED IN ACTUALLY LOOKING THROUGH THEIR CHILDREN'S PHONES OR

DEVICES, WE'LL NEVER KNOW. >> THAT MADE ME THINK OF SOMETHING, ARE YOU ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH THE PARENT TEACHER

ORGANIZATIONS? >> WHEN I TALKED TO THE SCHOOLS, THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD GET SOMETHING TOGETHER FOR THE PTA BECAUSE THEY HAVE, TO WHERE ALL THE FEEDER SCHOOLS ARE TOGETHER FOR THAT. DUE TO THEIR COVID RESTRICTIONS, THEY ARE NOT EVEN GATHERING FOR THAT.

>> HOPEFULLY AFTER THE HOLIDAYS THAT WILL LIGHTEN UP.

>> I WAS TOLD NOT FOR THE REST OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

SO I'M TRYING TO FIND OTHER AVENUES IN ORDER TO DO THAT.

>> WITH THE ADVENT OF WEBNARES, WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT ORGANIZING SOME ONLINE SEMINARS FOR PARENTS TO GO THROUGH THIS.

I THINK YOU'LL GET A BETTER RESPONSE THAN YOU THINK.

IF IT WAS AVAILABLE ESPECIALLY QUARTERLY AND PEOPLE CAN GO BACK AND LOOK AT IT PIECEMEAL SO THEY CAN EDUCATE THEMSELVES ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON BECAUSE, THESE SORTS OF CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST CHILDREN ARE PARTICULARLY HEINOUS AND CREATE ENORMOUS PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT -- I THINK WE NEED TO PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER AND SEE IF WE CAN'T DO SOMETHING TOGETHER TO HELP YOU GET THAT DONE.

>> MAYBE WE CAN COORDINATE COLLABORATION WITH THE VILLAGE

[00:35:04]

ASSOCIATION TO HELP FACILITATE THAT ALSO.

>> I'M WILLING TO BE ANYWHERE THEY'LL HEAR ME.

>> LOTS OF GOOD SUGGESTIONS. DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

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

>> ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT.

[9. Receive, consider and act upon emergency authorities related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and authorizing the President/General Manager to act in connection therewith;]

WE THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATES AND YOUR CONTINUOUS WORK.

THAT WILL BRING US AWAY TO AGENDA 9, ACT ON EMERGENCY AUTHORITY RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS.

TODD, DO WE HAVE ANYTHING FOR TODAY? IT LOOKS LIKE WE DO. I'LL GO JERRY MAGUIRE ON YOUR,

SHOW ME THE MONEY. >> THANK YOU.

THIS WILL BE QUICK. I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF KEY HIGHLIGHTS THAT I WANT TO SHARE AND THEN GO FROM THERE.

AS I REPORTED LAST WEEK, I GAVE HIGHLIGHTS OF ALL THE STATISTICS. I WON'T GO INTO THOSE THAN TO SAY WE CONTINUE ON THE DOWNWARD TREND.

WE NOW HAVE FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY, OUR ICU BED USAGE IS 17% OR BELOW WHICH IS WHAT IT WAS A MONTH AGO. VACCINATION RATES CONTINUE TO CLIMB SLOWLY BUT STEADILY. JUST A REMINDER FOR THOSE THAT MAY NOT KNOW, THE FDA AND CDC HAVE BEEN WORKING ON BOOSTERS AND HAVE APPROVED BOOSTERS FOR ALL THREE VACCINATIONS AT THIS POINT. THOSE WHO RECEIVED PFIZER MODERNA WHO ARE 65 AND OLDER AND WORKING IN CERTAIN HIGH RISK ENVIRONMENTS OR IMMUNE COMPROMISED ADVISED TO GET A BOOSTER SIX MONTHS AFTER THEIR SHOTS AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON FOR THOSE 18 AND UP, TWO MONTHS. THE ADVISORY PANEL HAS RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS THROUGH PFIZER FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN 5 TO 11. WE EXPECT FDA RECOMMENDATION OR APPROVAL IN THE COMING DAYS AND CDC RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE COMING WEEK OR SO. WITH THAT SAID, MY UNDERSTANDING IS TEXAS WILL HAVE ABOUT A MILLION AND A HALF OF TDOSES TO PROVIDE THOSE VACCINATIONS TO CHILDREN OF THAT AGE GROUP WITH THE APPROPRIATE DOSAGE AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

I DID WANT TO SHARE WITH DR. SNYDER, SHE ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT THE TESTING. I DIDN'T HAVE THE GRAPH IN THAT PARTICULAR PRESENTATION. OBVIOUSLY, WE CONTINUE OUR PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE TESTING AT OUR LOCATIONS THROUGH THE WOODLANDS. THIS IS JUST AN ACCOUNTING OF WHAT OUR TESTING LOOKED LIKE FROM EARLY AUGUST TO TODAY.

YOU'LL NOTICE ON THE FIRST OF AUGUST, WE RAN 220 TESTS THROUGH OUR THREE SITES. WE PEAKED WITH THE DELTA VARIANT IN AUGUST AT 1235 AND NOW WE ARE BACK DOWN TO ROUGHLY 150 TESTS BETWEEN THE THREE SITES. THEY ARE BEING USED VERY WELL.

OBVIOUSLY, WITH THE CONTAINMENT OF THE SURGE, WE ARE BACK TO WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER A MORE NORMAL RATE.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I COVERED THAT FOR DR. SNYDER SINCE I WASN'T ABLE TO DO SO LAST WEEK.

WE ADMINISTER WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP OVER 142,000 SHOTS -- EXCUSE ME, TESTS. NOT SHOTS, EXCUSE ME, THROUGHOUT THE PARTNERSHIP WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY GOOD NUMBER FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY. WITH THAT, MONTGOMERY COUNTY HAS GONE BACK TO REPORTING STATISTICS ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

THEY WERE DOING IT TWICE A WEEK. OUR COMMUNITY RELATIONS DID A FANTASTIC JOB GETTING INFORMATION OUT TO RESIDENTS.

WE HAVE DRAWN THAT BACK NOW THAT THE SURGE THAT IS CONTINUED TO DIMINISH. STAFF WILL RECOMMEND AT THIS POINT WE WOULD REMOVE THE EMERGENCY CORONAVIRUS ITEM FROM THE STANDING AGENDA AND WE CAN BRING BACK AN AGENDA ITEM ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE TO ADDRESS WHATEVER CONCERNS MAY CREEP UP.

WITH THE SURGE DIMINISHED, THERE IS PROBABLY NOT A NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO THESE UPDATES EVERY BOARD MEETING.

>> ALL RIGHT. FAIR ENOUGH.

>> I HAVE A COMMENT. >> YES.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT WAS A VERY GOOD UPDATE AND VERY PROMISING AND POSITIVE. YOU ALWAYS BRING POSITIVE INFORMATION. THAT'S GREAT.

JUST TO PUT A POINT ON THE VACCINES FOR BOOSTERS.

I DID GET MY BOOSTER RECENTLY. I'M HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

AS YOU KNOW, I'M IN THE PFIZER STUDY SO I WENT THROUGH THAT BLOOD DRAW FIRST TO DO IT. WHAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT AND YOU CAN ADD A LITTLE OF EXTRA OPPOSITE IT IF YOU KNOW MORE, PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO MIX AND MATCH NOW.

THAT IS A KEY POINT. IF YOU GOT THE PFIZER AND YOU HAPPEN TO BE SOMEWHERE AND THEY OFFER THE MODERNA, YOU CAN GET THE MODERNA. THAT INCLUDES IF YOU HAD JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND SINGLE SHOT INITIALLY, YOU CAN GET A PFIZER

[00:40:02]

BOOSTER. THE FDA, I THINK IT WAS FIVE OR SIX DAYS AGO AUTHORIZED THAT FOR EVER

EVERYONE. >> THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE WHO HAD HESITANCY AFTER THEIR FIRST SHOT AND THEY CAN SWITCH TO

ANOTHER. >> WITH THE NUMBER OF TESTS, HOW DOES IT IMPACT THE TIME FRAME IN GETTING RESULTS BACK?

>> WE STARTED STARTED AT THE BEAR BRANCH THE RAPID TESTING WHICH THEY PROMISED BACK IN TWO TO THREE HOURS.

AS FAR AS I KNOW, THAT IS WORKING FINE.

TYPICALLY THOSE CAN BE WITHIN 24 HOURS OR LESS.

I KNOW INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVED THEIR RESULTS THE NEXT DAY.

>> ACTUALLY, WE HAD TESTS IN THE AFTERNOON.

THEY WERE IN OUR E-MAIL WHEN WE WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING.

>> AS FAR AS THE CARES ACT, DO WE HAVE ANY ANTICIPATION ON WHEN

WE MAY GET A RESPONSE? >> NO.

I DON'T HAVE MORE INFORMATION. WE FOLLOWED UP TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS. THE WITHIN COMMITTEE COULD TAKE

MONTHS. >> THE PROCESS GOT EXTENDED, WE

HEARD LAST WEEK. >> YES.

WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT. GOOD PROGRESS WITH THE COMMITTEES WHO HAVE, WHO AUTHORED THE LEGISLATION.

WE ARE WORKING ON THE SENATE SIDE.

WE ARE TRYING TO FOLLOW UP WITH OUR APPEAL LETTER AT THIS POINT

AS WELL. >> THERE IS NO TIMETABLE?

>> THERE IS NO TIMETABLE. I'M ALWAYS HOPEFUL WE CAN MOVE QUICKLY. WHERE WE ARE NOW, WE ARE GETTING BOGGED DOWN WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON IN CONGRESS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WE ARE WORKING WITH ARE TIED UP IN THAT AS WELL. THAT SLOWED US DOWN A BIT.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO

ACCEPT THE REPORT? >> MOVE TO ACCEPT.

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

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

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? AGENDA ITEM 10, RECEIVE, CONSIDER, ACT UPON INCORPORATION PLANNING STUDY MATTERS.

KAREN? AS IF NO ONE KNEW.

>> THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME I GIVE THIS PRESENTATION.

, FOR THE CURRENT ELECTION. ON AUGUST 13, OF COURSE, THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS DID CALL AN INCORPORATION ELECTION WHICH INCLUDES TWO PROPOSITIONS ON THE NOVEMBER 2 BALLOT.

IT WAS DEVELOPED BY LEGAL COUNSEL, INCLUDING THE TOWNSHIP ENABLING LEGISLATION. THE PROPOSITION CREATES THE CITY OF THE WOODLANDS AND SETS ITS MAX -- MAXIMUM RATE.

RESIDENTS CAN VOTE FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSITION.

PROPOSITION A, AUTHORIZING THE TYPE A CITY, INCORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT IN THE ADOPTION OF AN INITIAL PROPERTY TAX RATE OF NOT MORE THAN 22.31 CENTS PROPOSITION B WHICH DEPENDS ON PROPOSITION A PASSING TRANSFERS RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITIES TO THE NEW CITY OF THE WOODLANDS DISSOLVING THE TOWNSHIP. REGISTERED VOTERS CAN VOTE FOR OR AGAINST PROPOSITION B WHICH IS STATES UPON INCORPORATION OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP DISTRICT INTO TO BE CALLED THE CITY OF THE WOODLANDS, TRANSFER THE RIGHTS, DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE BONDS AND THE AUTHORITY TO OPPOSE TAXES TO THE CITY OF THE WOODLANDS.

FRIDAY, THIS WEEK IS THE LAST DAY OF EARLY VOTING BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE. VOTER ELIGIBILITY, YOU MUST ALREADY BE REGISTERED TO VOTE. YOU MUST BE REGISTERED IN YOUR COUNTY AND YOUR RESIDENT MUST BE IN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE

[00:45:03]

TOWNSHIP. VOTERS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY MUST VOTE AT MONTGOMERY SITES DURING EARLY VOTING.

THE CLOSEST LOCATION IS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

ON ELECTION DAY, YOU MUST VOTE AT YOUR PRECINCT LOCATION.

MONTGOMERY IS USING CONSOLIDATED VOTING SITES FOR THIS ELECTION.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON WHERE THAT SITE WOULD BE, THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE TOWNSHIP BUT FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION, WE RECOMMEND YOU GO TO THE COUNTY WEBSITE WHICH FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS AT WWW.MONTGOMERYVOTES.ORG.

IN THE VILLAGE OF CREEK SIDE PARK, THOSE VOTERS VOTE IN HARRIS COUNTY. HARRIS COUNTY HAS A DIFFERENT SITE. WHETHER IT IS DURING EARLY VOTING OR ON ELECTION DAY, HARRIS COUNTY DOES USE COUNTY WIDE POLLING SITES. THE CLOSEST LOCATION FOR THOSE VOTERS IS THE LONE STAR CREEKSIDE CAMPUS.

THAT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON WWW.HARRIS VOTES.ORG.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS MADE A FEW CHANGES TO ITS POLLING SITE.

NONE OF THOSE IMPACT THAT LOCATION WITHIN OUR BOUNDARIES.

>> ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD.

>> MAY I GO BACK TO THAT SLIDE? >> CERTAINLY.

>> THANK YOU. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE LOOK AT THAT LAST BULLET, ELECTION DAY WE'LL USE COMMUNITY-WIDE POLLING SITES. I THINK YOU MEANT TO SAY COUNTY

WIDE. >> IT IS COUNTY-WIDE, YES.

>> THANK YOU. OF COURSE, IF VOTERS --

>> THANK YOU, THAT IS A GOOD CORRECTION.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS I MENTIONED, POLLING SITES, WE RECOMMEND YOU GO TO THE COUNTY. WE HAVE NOVEMBER ELECTION WEB PAGE SET UP. WE DO HAVE A PLETHORA OF INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE. THAT'S MY PRESENTATION.

>> VOTING IS NOW 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M. THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND ELECTION DAY, TUESDAY, THE SECOND.

>> I THINK HARRIS COUNTY IS LA

LATER. >> HARRIS COUNTY IS DIFFERENT IN A COUPLE OF AREAS. THEY DO ADD SOME OF THEIR EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, THEY HAVE 24 HOUR VOTING.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOTING IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE RECOMMEND YOU GO TO THE HARRIS COUNTY WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE FULL LIST. I DON'T RECALL HOW MANY UNITS IT

IS OVER -- >> THAT IS NOT THE CREEK SIDE

SITE. >> NO, IT IS NOT.

THE ONE LOCATED WITHIN OUR BOUN

BOUNDARIES. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION. I HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE IN CREE CREEKSIDE.

I KNOW MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS NOT WHAT I READ.

HARRIS COUNTY WAS NOT EITHER. >> THANK YOU.

>> I KNOW THEY ARE DOING 24 HOUR VOTING.

I BELIEVE VOTING CUTS OFF AT 7:00 P.M. ON ELECTION DAY.

>> YES. ELECTION DAY ITSELF IS ONLY 7:00

A.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M., CORRECT. >> AND YOU HAVE TO BE IN LINE AT 7:00. OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, KAREN.

[12. Receive, consider and act upon a quarterly update from Visit The Woodlands (Convention & Visitors Bureau);]

ALL RIGHT. EVERYBODY KNOWS WHEN TO VOTE AND WHERE TO VOTE. WE HAVE ANOTHER ITEM UNDER INCORPORATION HAVING TO DO WITH FORCED ANNEXATION.

WE HAD A QUESTION COME UP CURRENTLY IN FREDERICKSBURG AND IN LOUISVILLE. THERE ARE TWO COMMUNITIES OR PARCELS OF LAND BEING FORCED ANNEXED RIGHT NOW.

SO THE ONE MORE RELEVANT TO THE WOODLANDS EXAMPLE IS THE SUBDIVISION CALLED CASTLE HILL UP IN DALLAS.

I'LL LET JULIE FORD EXPLAIN WHY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS AND WHAT OUR BOARD WANTS TO DO TO HELP PROVIDE INFORMATION TO OUR

COMMUNITY. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE DID AN AGREEMENT WITH PROFESSIONAL DISTRICTS LOCATED IN THEIR ETJ MANY YEARS AGO.

I BELIEVE IT WAS 1996 THAT ALLOWED FOR ANNEXATION TO OCCUR

[00:50:01]

IN THE FUTURE. THEY ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING THAT ANNEXATION UNDER THE OLDER AGREEMENT.

THEY HAVE BEEN AMENDED THROUGH THE YEARS.

THERE IS THE AUTHORITY TO ALLOW THEM TO COMPLETE THE ANNEXATION WITHOUT PUTTING IT TO AN ELECTION OF THE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN THE CASTLE HILL MASTER PLAN COMM COMMUNITY. I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE GETTING QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THAT MIGHT LOOK HERE.

IN 2018 A LEGAL OPINION WAS DONE ADDRESSING THAT QUESTION.

IF YOU WERE SO INCLINED TO WAIVE THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE FOR THAT ONE MEMO, IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL INFORMATION TO SHARE

WITH THE VOTERS. >> RIGHT.

WE HAVE GOTTEN E-MAILS FRO RESIDENTS ASKING THIS QUESTION BASED ON INFORMATION THEY HAVE GOTTEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND/OR THEIR MAILBOX REGARDING FORCED ANNEXATION.

THERE IS A BELIEF WE ARE 100% PROTECTED FROM FORCED ANNEXATION BASED ON THE 2018 DAN HUBERTY SPONSORED LAW.

WHAT THIS SHOWS IS LOUISBURG IS ANNEXING A COMMUNITY OF 25,000 RESIDENTS UNDERNEATH AN OLD DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT WHICH IS UNDERNEATH SAME CODE AS OUR REGIONAL PARTICIPATION --

>> SAME CHAPTER. >> AND THAT COMMUNITY IS CURRENTLY BEING ANNEXED THIS WEEK, WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL.

IN 2018, MONTY ACRES PRESENTED THE LEGAL OPINION THAT ARTICULATED HIS BELIEF OUR REGIONAL PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS THAT WERE VOTER APPROVED IN 2007 WOULD TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER THE NEW LAW. LOTS OF DEBATE OVER THAT IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE. NOW WE HAVE A LIVING EXAMPLE OF LOUISVILLE EXECUTING AGAINST AN OLDER CONTRACT AND ANNEXING CASTLE HILL WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL AND IT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK. WE HAVE ASKED TO HAVE OUR LEGAL OPINION RELEASED SO THE TOTAL LEGAL OPINION CAN BE REVIEWED.

WE'VE HAD A SUMMARY OPINION POSTED ON THE SITE BUT WE ARE WILLING, IF THE BOARD IS WILLING, TO RELEASE THE FULL LEGAL OPINION PRESENTED IN 2018 ARTICULATING OUR ATTORNEY'S

POSITION ON THAT. >> SO CHAIRMAN BUNCH, I'D LUCKY TO MAKE A MOTION TO WAIVE OUR ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE RELATIVE TO THAT LEGAL AGREEMENT FOR THE FEBRUARY 23, 2018 REGARDING THE ANNEXATION LAWS PASSED IN 2017 AND AMENDED IN

2019. >> SECOND.

>> ANY MORE DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? SO WE'LL PUT OUT ON -- IN OUR -- NICK, WHEN YOU DO YOUR COMMUNICATIONS TODAY, YOU CAN INCLUDE THAT INFORMATION. I DID ASK KAREN TO GIVE YOU THE LINK TO THE VIDEO PRESENTATION FOR MONTY SO WHEN WE PUT OUT THE RELEASE TODAY, THAT CAN GO OUT. I THINK THAT'S THE BALANCE OF

AGENDA ITEMS FOR TONIGHT. >> I HAD A REQUEST TO REITERATE THE FACT -- THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INCORPORATION AND ANNEXATION BECAUSE IT SEEMS QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE CONFUSING INCORPORATION AND ANNEXATION.

ANNEXATION MEANS YOU ARE BEING ADDED TO AN EXISTING CITY THROUGH ANNEXATION. INCORPORATION WHICH IS ON THE BALLOT FOR THE VOTERS TO DECIDE INVOLVES THE CREATION OF A NEW LEGAL ENTITY WHICH WILL BE CALLED THE CITY OF THE WOODLANDS. IT IS AN INDEPENDENT CITY.

IT WOULD PRE-EMPT ANY FUTURE ANNEXATION BY ANY OTHER JURIS JURISDICTION, TO GET THAT

CLARIFIED. >> YES, I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN YELLED AT FOR TRYING TO JOIN HOUSTON WHICH OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW ISN'T OCCURRING. WE'LL TAKE A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE INCORPORATION UPDATES?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

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

>> ANY OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS?

[00:55:04]

NOW WE MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM 11, RECEIVE, CONSIDER, ACT -- I'M SORRY. ITEM 12, WE BOUNCED AROUND TONIGHT, FROM VISIT THE WOODLANDS.

>> WE HAVE A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME TO TALK ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING. FIRST, WHAT I'D LIKE TO SAY IS ON BEHALF OF THE STAFF THAT REPRESENTS VISIT THE WOODLANDS, MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WITH THE LOSS OF YOUR DAD. THOSE EMPLOYEES APPRECIATE YOU AND WANTED TO SEND THAT MESSAGE. WE WANTED TO THANK EACH ONE OF YOUR DIRECTORS IN BELIEVING IN THE IMPORTANCE OF VISIT THE WOODLANDS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY, BRINGING VISITOR DOLLARS HERE.

WE SAW THAT SO MUCH IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS.

I AM PLEASED TO REPORT, KNOCK ON WOOD, I THINK OUR OCTOBER, FROM WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM OUR HOTEL PROPERTIES, WILL BE OUR BEST MONTH IN 20 MONTHS. SO WE ARE DEFINITELY FAST TRACKING ON THE WAY TO RECOVERY. I ALSO WANT TO THANK VISIT THE WOODLANDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THOSE ARE THE DIRECTORS YOU SEE, SEVERAL OF YOU IN THE ROOM, CHAIRMAN, VICE CHAIR BROWN AND CHAIR GIBES, THANK YOU. AND MO UNIQUE AND JOHN AND KAREN, SHE KEEPS US OUT OF TROUBLE ON MANY OCCASIONS AS WELL. THANK YOU.

IT IS A GREAT TEAM. WE ARE PRODUCING SOME GREAT THINGS. THIS IS OUR STAFF AND OUR STAFF IS CERTAINLY VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE LEADERSHIP AS WELL.

WE WANTED TO MOVE INTO OUR QUARTERLY REPORT, THAT'S WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUNDING THE TOWNSHIP GIVES, TO COME TO YOU ONCE A QUARTER AND TRY TO LOOK FORWARD AND LOOK AHEAD AS WELL.

VISIT THE WOODLANDS, WE RECENTLY WENT THROUGH AN EXERCISE THAT IS COMING BACK TO YOU. IN THE SERVICE AGREEMENT, WE ARE LISTED AS THE OFFICIAL MARKETING ORGANIZATION, THE OFFICIAL OF WHAT IS CALLED A DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION, DMO.

WE HAVE ADDED MANAGEMENT AS WELL.

WE FEEL LIKE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT VISIT THE WOODLANDS DOES THAT IT IS NOT JUST MARKETING, IT IS MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION FOR VISITOR AND TOURISM AND CONVENTIONS AS WELL.

WE REPRESENT ALL THE RETAIL BUSINESSES, ALL THE HOTEL BUSINESSES. THEY ARE ALL PART OF OUR PORTFOLIO IF YOU WILL OF OURSELVES.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? TWO YEARS AGO OVER NINE MILLION DOLLARS IN SALES TAX DIRECTLY TO US.

I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL THESE NUMBERS BUT IT IS A HUGE IMPACT TO OUR COMMUNITY. THEN I'M GOING TO END ON THIS SLIDE, I'LL ASK ELIZABETH TO HIGHLIGHT SEVERAL THINGS THAT HAPPENED OVER THE LAST QUARTER. I LOVE THIS DESTINATION MANAGEMENT CYCLE. IF YOU LOOK IN THE UPPER LEFT, IF YOU BUILD A PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO VISIT, YOU BUILD A PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE. IT IS A CIRCLE OF LIFE, IF YOU WILL. I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL MEMBERS ON THIS BOARD WHO CAME HERE FOR A PARTICULAR CONCERT AND THEN MOVED HERE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT. AT THIS POINT, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ELIZABETH EDENS.

>> THANK YOU. WE ARE ENJOYING A ROBUST QUARTER RIGHT NOW. JOSIE LOUIS, OUR DIRECTOR OF SALES IS ON THE ROAD RIGHT NOW ATTENDING CONNECT TEXAS.

THIS IS A LARGE MEETING PLANNER SHOW BEING HELD IN THE DALLAS A AREA.

THE IMPORTANCE IS THE WOODLANDS IS HOSTING THIS IN 2023.

THAT WILL BE 75 PLANNERS REPRESENTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF POTENTIAL OF BUSINESS. IT WILL BE AT THE WESTIN.

WE WILL BE GEARING UP FOR THAT. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HOSTING IT IN 2022. IT GOT PUSHED BACK BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. WE THINK IT IS GIVING US MORE TIME TO PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD.

OUR BID PRESENTATIONS, YOU CAN SEE OUR LIST OF CLIENTS THAT WE ARE POTENTIALLY TRYING TO WOO RIGHT NOW THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH OUR RFP PROCESS, WHICH IS OUR PROCESS TO RECEIVE ONE OF THEIR PROPOSALS AND GET OUR HOTELS INVOLVED, TELL US WHAT WOULD BE THEIR BEST PROPOSAL. THOSE ARE THOSE CLIENTS -- I'M SORRY. WE ALSO ALWAYS BELIEVE EVERY

[01:00:01]

PIECE OF BUSINESS IN THE WOODLANDS STARTS WITH A VISIT.

IF YOU ARE HERE FOR A VACATION, YOU BECOME A BUSINESS CLIENT.

IF YOU ARE HERE FOR A BUSINESS CONVENTION, YOU COME BACK FOR A PAVILION SHOW. WE JUST HOSTED A FAM TRIP.

THIS IS A LARGE MEETING PLANNING COMPANY, GLOBAL COMPANY.

THEY ARE HOUSTON BASED PLANNERS. WE HAD THEM ON A TOUR SEEING ALL THE MAJOR PROPERTIES. THEY GOT TO ENJOY A PAVILION SHOW. THEY GOT TO SEE THE BANK CLUB, THEY GOT TO SEE THE MEETING SPACE.

WE ARE ALWAYS SHOWING THEM THINGS THEY CAN USE FOR THEIR POTENTIAL BUSINESS. WE ARE WORKING NUMEROUS LEADS RIGHT NOW. WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON A HOSPITAL HOTEL PROGRAM WHICH WOULD BE SPECIAL RATES AND INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE VISITING OUR HOSPITALS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE CONSIDERED THEIR NEEDS. WE ARE PROVIDING SOME SUPPORT IN THAT ARENA. THESE ARE TWO SPECIFICALLY IN MEXICO -- FOOD AND TRAVEL IN MEXICO.

ALSO WE WOULD EXPECT EDITORIAL TO BE ACCOMPANIED WITH THAT AS WELL. WE HAVE ANOTHER TASK THAT WE ARE PROUD TO SERVE AND SUPPORT FOR THE TOWNSHIP VENUES AND THE TOWNSHIP RESOURCES. TREE ADVENTURES, LAKE'S EDGE, BOAT HOUSES. WE TAKE ADVERTISING, WE SPREAD THAT MESSAGE BEYOND, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINES, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS, THERE IS A CALL TO ACTION.

WHATEVER IT IS, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING, DO WE WANT THEM TO BUY A TICKET. THERE IS ALWAYS A CALL TO ACTION. WE ARE USING THOSE TOOLS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO, AGAIN, BOOK A CLAIM.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THERE IS RESERVATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF THAT.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY CREATING NEW CONTENT TO MAKE THIS WEBSITE EVEN MORE ROBUST WITH OUR PARTNERS.

ANOTHER WEBSITE WE UTILIZE DURING STORMS OR DURING MOMENTS OF WEATHER CATASTROPHE IS OUR EMERGENCY ROOMING -- EMERGENCY SITE. WHEN THERE ARE EVACUEES COMING IN FROM LOUISIANA, WE REACH OUT TO HOTELS AND SAY WHO HAS AVAILABILITY? DO YOU HAVE POWER? DO YOU HAVE STAFF? WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY HAVE HOTEL ROOMS HERE. IF YOU ARE HOST ING FAMILY AND YOU WANT THEM TO STAY IN A HOTEL, WE WANT TO KNOW THERE IS AVAILABILITY. IN JULY WE HAD AN INCREASE WHERE WE SENT 1200 REFERRALS TO HOTELS FROM VISIT THE WOODLANDS WEBSITE. THEN WE ALSO INCLUDE TOWNSHIP NEWS AND ANYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS UP TO DATE. OUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS, WE ARE VERY PROUD TO HAVE HIT THE 12,000 FOLLOWER MARK ON INSTAGRAM WHICH MEANS IT OPENS UP A WHOLE SLEW OF FEATURES AND TOOLS WE CAN USE. AMBER GEORGE IS OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT SPECIALIST. SHE HAS CREATED COUNTLESS VIDEOS EVERY TIME SHE IS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE CHANNEL STORE OPENED. SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE DOOR MAKING SURE WE HAD VIDEO CONTENT SO PEOPLE CAN SEE IT THEMSELVES. WE CREATED NUMEROUS PIECES OF COLLATERAL THAT ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AND IN PRINT.

MYSELF AND OUR TOURISM SPECIALIST JUST RETURNED FROM LAS VEGAS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SHOW THROUGH U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION. THIS IS A SHOW WHERE I CONDUCTED OVER 20 MEDIA APPOINTMENTS AND LAURA HAD 28 TRAVEL APPOINTMENTS. THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SHOWS HELD IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE HOSTED A PRIVATE DINNER WITH VISIT HOUSTON FOR ELITE MEXICAN MEDIA TRADE AND JOURNALISTS. SO THAT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

WE HAVE HOSTED DELEGATES, WE HAD THE MINISTER THAT VISITED A MONTH OR SO AGO. WE ALSO BROUGHT IN REPRESENTATIVES FROM UNITED AIRLINES SO THAT WE COULD CREATE A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THEM SO YOU HAVE REPRESENTATIVES THERE FROM UNITED AS WELL AS THE STATE OF YUCATAN.

WE ARE PROUD OF OUR STAFF AS WELL AS OUR EFFORTS AMONGST OUR ENTIRE GROUP. SOME AWARDS WITHIN OUR INDUSTRY, THE JUDGE CHOICE FOR OUR PROMOTION.

THIS IS A VIDEO WE CREATED FOR THE MARRIOTT.

WE HAD TO CREATE A LOT OF -- DURING COVID WHEN PEOPLE WERE AT HOME, WE HAD TO CREATE FIRST PERSON VIDEOS WHERE PEOPLE COULD STAY HOME BUT STILL SEE IT. THIS WAS A VIDEO AS WELL A CONVENTION FOR THE WOODLANDS RESORT.

WE SUBMIT ON THEIR BEHALF TO MAKE SURE IF THERE IS AN AWARD TO WIN, WE WOULD WIN IT. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO

[01:05:03]

CONNECT WITH US THROUGH OUR WEBSITE AND ALL OF OUR MEDIA CHANNELS. AGAIN, WE ARE JUST SO PROUD TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT THE WOODLANDS.

OUR STAFF IS EXCITED TO DO IT. WE FEEL LIKE THERE HAS BEEN A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. IT IS AN EASY SELL SO WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.

I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO NICK. >> HAVE WE CEASED USING THE

WOODLANDS? >> NO.

WE HAVE NOT CEASED TO USE IT. WE FEEL LIKE SO WOODLANDS IS TONGUE IN CHEEK BUT IT IS A WAY -- THE HOSPITALITY IS GREAT, THAT IS SO WOODLANDS. THE FOOD IS GREAT, IT IS THOSE SPECIAL TOUCHES THAT PEOPLE HAVE COME ACCUSTOMED TO EXPERIENCING HERE. WE HEAR THAT A LOT.

OUR CLIENTS TELL US, OUR VISITORS TELL US.

YOU CAN KEEP USING SO WOODLANDS. WE'D LOVE TO SEE IT.

>> THANK YOU, ELIZABETH. GREAT JOB, YOU AND YOUR TEAM CERTAINLY WITH THE EXCITEMENT. ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, CHAIRMAN BUNCH, YOU SAID, LET'S MAKE YOU A DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION, GO OUT STATE-WIDE, NATION-WIDE AND

INTERNATIONALLY -- >> JUST FOR THE RECORD, IT WAS

SIX YEARS AGO. >> SIX YEARS AGO, OKAY.

LOSING TRACK OF TIME. CHAIRMAN RICER HELPED FURTHER THAT AND IT IS WORKING. WE ARE PUSHING MUCH HARDER.

THESE ARE AGENCIES AND MEDIA ENTITIES THAT WE ARE PURSUING.

WE WERE IN TRAVEL AND LEISURE. THIS IS WHERE WE ARE MOVING.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE PUSHING. COMPETITION IS ON OUR HEELS.

YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN THE GROUND BREAKING IN CONROW.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE STATE HOTEL TAX AND --

>> REBATES. >> REBATES, RIGHT.

BUT -- >> NOT A NEW TAX, REBATE.

>> RIGHT. THERE ARE STATE -- ORDINARILY IT WOULD GO TO THE STATE BUT THE CITY GETS TO USE IT.

THIS IS COMPETITION FOR US. I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, THIS IS COMPETITION FOR US IN THE MARKETPLACE, WE ARE SEEING THAT. SO WE HAVE TO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD AND JUST, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT IN THE MARKETING AND PR EFFORTS WE ARE DOING.

I THINK THAT'S THE END OF MY REPORT.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS YOU MIGHT HAVE?

>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR NICK? I'LL CONFIRM NEXT YEAR IS GOING TO BE AWESOME BECAUSE IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO GET A DATE FOR MY CONVENTION IN 2022. WE HAVE REBOOKED THE WOODLANDS.

YOU BARELY WON. IT WAS TOUGH.

CONROW WON'T BE READY FOR ME YET.

>> YOU MADE OUR JULY. >> WE'LL BE BACK IN MAY.

THE MARRIOT'S AVAILABILITY FOR 2022 PROGRAMMING, IT WAS VERY LIMITED. SO THEY MUST BE PREBOOKED LIKE CRAZY FOR 2022. SO GREAT JOB, YOU GUYS MANAGING THE PANDEMIC, COMPLETE SHUTDOWNS AND REBOOTING.

IT LOOKS LIKE A BANNER YEAR FOR 2022.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, CHAIRMAN RICER.

>> THANK YOU. >> YOU HAVE DONE A MUCH BETTER

JOB THAN I WOULD HAVE. >> YOU GOT US HEADING DOWN THE RIGHT ROAD. NOT TO PRE-EMPT MONIQUE BUT I DID GET A PEAK AT THE HOTEL TAX REPORT.

I THINK IT IS OUR FIFTH STRAIGHT MONTH OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN HOTEL TAX. WE ARE NOW WITHIN, YOU KNOW, I WON'T USE THAT WORD BUT WE ARE WITHIN HAILING DISTANCE OF OUR BUDGET, WE ARE LESS THAN ONE PERCENT BEHIND AFTER A SLOW START TO THE YEAR. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE EFFORTS THAT YOU GUYS ARE MAKING ARE, YOU KNOW, REALLY PAYING DIVIDENDS. I WAS KIND OF EXPECTING YOU TO GIVE US A REPORT ON OUR NEW PARTNER ORGANIZATION BUT YOU CAN

DO THAT NEXT QUARTER. >> WAS THAT LOWE'S?

THE NEW PARTNER? >> NO.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE MADDEN AGENCY?

>> YES. >> OUR NEW AD AGENCY THAT IS

STARTING WITH US. >> MAYBE FOR THE NEXT ONE TOO, YOU CAN ADD ON LOWE'S, THE NEW OWNER OF THE WOODLANDS RESORT.

YOU CAN HEAR WHAT THEIR PLANS ARE FOR THE AREA.

>> MOST DEFINITELY. WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH CORAL TREE

[01:10:01]

AND THEIR EMPLOYEES. >> AWESOME.

>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO ACCEPT THE REPORT?

>> MOTION. >> SECOND.

[13. Receive, consider and act upon a report on the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting received by The Woodlands Township from the Government Finance Officers Association;]

>> ALL IN FAVOR AYE? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU, NICK.

THIS IS AN AWESOME AGENDA ITEM. RECEIVE, CONSIDER, ACT UPON A REPORT ON THE DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD AND CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCE REPORTING RECEIVED BY THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP FROM THE FWOVT FINANCE ASSOCIATION. I WISH MORE PEOPLE WERE HERE TO

SEE THIS. >> YES.

TONIGHT, I DO WANT TO PRESENT TO THE TOWNSHIP BOARD THE RECEIPT THAT THE -- THAT RECENTLY RECEIVED FOR THE BUDGET AND THE FINANCIAL REPORT. YOU HAVE SEEN ME USE THIS SLIDE A LOT RECENTLY AND TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE HAVE THESE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE ENTITIES THAT INDEPENDENTLY EVALUATE OUR FINANCIALS AND OUR FINANCIAL PLANNING.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF THE GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING STANDARD BOARDS. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT OUR CREDIT RATINGS, BUT WHAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT TONIGHT IS THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AND THE AWARDS WE RECEIVED FROM THEIR REVIEW OF OUR REPORTS. WE DID RECEIVE THE DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD FOR OUR 2021 BUDGET.

WE HAVE ALSO RECEIVED THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR OUR 2019 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL REPORT. THEY ARE BEHIND ON THE ANNUAL REPORTS SO WE HAVE SUBMITTED THE 2020 AND THE 2021 HASN'T TAKEN PLACE YET. THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE YEARS. WHAT I WANT TO STRESS TONIGHT IS THOUGH I AM FORTUNATE TO BE THE PERSON UP HERE PRESENTING THESE AWARDS, IT IS MOST DEFINITELY NOT ABOUT ME.

THIS RECOGNITION IS DUE TO THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF MANY, MOST IMPORTANTLY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND YOUR POLICIES PLAY MUCH INTO THE RECEIPT OF THESE AWARDS.

THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM IS ALSO VERY INVOLVED PARTICULARLY IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. ALSO THE LEADERSHIP TEAM WHICH INCLUDES MANY OF OUR MANAGERS AND DIRECTORS AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. OF COURSE, THE FINANCE TEAM.

IF YOU'LL ALLOW ME A MINUTE TO BRAG ON MY FINANCE TEAM, THESE ARE THE 14 INDIVIDUALS THAT SUPPORT ME EVERY DAY IN THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WE DO. THIS INCLUDES FINANCIAL REPORTING, FINANCIAL PLANNING AND BUDGETING, PAYROLL, GENERAL LEDGER, PURCHASING, ALL THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS, TREASURY MANAGEMENT, DEBT MANAGEMENT, INVESTMENTS, EVERYTHING YOU WOULD MANAGE IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

I AM PROUD OF THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE DEDICATION OF THIS TEAM AND CERTAINLY THE TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY AS WELL.

FIRST WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD. THIS IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE RECEIVED IN GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETING, PER THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, THE AWARD REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT BY THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AND SIGNIFIES THE GOVERNING BODY TO MEET THE HIGHEST PRINCIPALS OF BUDGETING.