Dec 07, 2022 Board of Directors Regular Meeting Agenda

[00:00:09]

>> GOOD EVENING. WELCOME TO THE WOODLANDS

[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;]

WE WILL START OUR MEETING THIS EVENING WITH AN INVOCATION BY SOMEONE WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE WHO HAS BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS SINCE 1978. THAT IS A LONG TIME, DR. ROBB.

A LONG TIME. HE WAS THE FOUNDING PASTOR OF THE WOODLANDS METHODIST CHURCH AND NOW SERVES AS PASTOR EMERITUS. DR. ROBB HAS SERVED ON MANY, MANY BOARDS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

SUCH AS THE SOUTH COUNTY YMCA, INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS AND THE CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL PAVILION, TO NAME A FEW.

WHAT MANY OF US MAY NOT KNOW IS HE HELPED START AND WAS AN ORIGINAL BOARD MEMBER ON EACH OF THOSE ENTITIES.

HE ALSO SERVED ON THE TOWN CENTER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR TEN YEARS.

AND SERVED AS CHAIRMAN IN 2005. HE WAS ELECTED ONE OF THE FI FIRST... ELECTED TO SERVE ON THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN 2008. HE WAS TREASURER, SECRETARY, VICE-CHAIRMAN AND SERVED AS CHAIRMAN IN 2015 AND 2016.

DR. ROBB, WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE YOU WITH US AT THIS EVENING TO

LEAD US IN PRAYER. >> THANK YOU.

MICHAEL RICHMOND PASSED. HE WAS THE FOUNDING CHAIRMAN OF TOWN CENTER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WHICH IS THE PREDECESSOR ORGANIZATION WHICH GAVE BIRTH TO THE TOWNSHIP, SO BEFORE OUR INVOCATION, PERHAPS WE BOW OUR HEADS WITH GRATITUDE FOR HIS LIFE. AMEN.

LET US PRAY. ALMIGHTY AND EVER LASTIN GOD, WE PAUSE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS, THE FINAL BOARD MEETING OF THE YEAR, TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO YOU, GRATITUDE FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS, FOR THE WAYS YOU HAVE BLESSED THIS COMMUNITY IN 2022. WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ALL WHO HAVE GATHERED HERE TONIGHT WHO VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

YOU REMIND US TO SLOW DOWN AND BRING YOUR PRECIOUS GIFTS OF LIFE, OF FAMILY, OF FRIENDS. AND TO NOT LET THESE BLESSINGS GO UNNOTICED. HOLY GOD, SOFTEN OUR HEARTS THAT WE MIGHT BE MORE GENEROUS. FOCUS IN ON OURSELVES ALONE.

SEEING THOSE AROUND US WHO NEED A HELPING HAND.

AND AN ENCOURAGING WORD AND A WARM SMILE.

WORK YOUR ARTICLE OF CHANGE WITHIN US THAT WE MIGHT BECOME LIFE AND LOVE IN THIS HURTING WORLD AND OUR SAVIORS, NOW WE PRAY. AMEN.

>> THANK YOU, DR. ROBB. AND NOW PLEASE STAND AS WE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO OUR COUNTRY AND THEN TO TEXAS.

>> 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 INDIVISIBLE.

[2. Call meeting to order;]

>> I NOW CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.

AT 6:04. AND DECLARE THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS POSTED 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE. OF THE MEETING.

THIS POSTING OCCURRED INSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE TOWNSHIP AT THIS OFFICE BUILDING. STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT AT LEAST FOUR OF OUR BOARD MEMBERSHIP BE IN ATTENDANCE TO ESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS. I ASK EACH BOARD MEMBER TO INDICATE YOUR PRESENCE BY RESPONDING WITH SOME AUDIBLE

[00:05:01]

BRAD BAILEY? >> HERE.

>> RICHARD FRANKS? >> HERE.

>> LINDA NELSON. >> HERE.

>> DR. SHELLEY SEKULA-GIBBS. >> HERE.

>> KYLE WATSON. >> HERE.

>> AND I'M HERE. BY THE ROLL CALL, IT IS DETERMINED THAT A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF MEMBERS ARE PRESENT TO

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

CALL FOR A MOTION AND SECOND FOR THE ADOPTION.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECOND. I DO HAVE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, IF I MAY. NEED TO PULL 7-D IN THE CONSENT AGENDA BECAUSE I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF ADVISORS.

I WOULD ASK IF THAT WOULD BE FINE.

>> YES. >> SECOND.

>> QUICK VOTE. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECOND.

TO ADOPT THE AGENDA. WITH THAT SAID, BY PULLING 7-D, OUT OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RESPOND BY

SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED, MOTION PASSES. BRINGS US TO RECOGNIZE PUBLIC OFFICIALS. SEEING NONE, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 5, PUBLIC COMMENT. OH, EXCUSE ME.

[4. Recognize public officials;]

DONNA? LECLAIR?

>> YES. >> WE THANK YOU FOR COMING.

DONNA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ATTENDING.

[5. Public comment;]

FIRST ON IS MY FRIEND JOHN ANTHONY BROWN.

MR. BROWN. >> GOOD EVENING.

MS. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

MY NAME IS JOHN ANTHONY BROWN. AGENDA NUMBER 13 IS THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE DSC. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MY SUPPORT AND ENDORSING IT FOR YOUR VOTE.

I WORKED WITH WALT. THERE IS REALLY TWO THINGS THAT COME TO MIND. ONE IS BEING AN INDEPENDENT THINKER. NUMBER TWO, IS ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD TO AN OPTION. THERE IS A UNIQUE WAY OF TRYING TO GIVE REZ DENGTS WHAT THEY WANT.

BUT ALSO KEEPING THE STANDARDS AND COVENANTS OF THE TOWNSHIP.

I HOPE YOU GIVE THAT A VOTE OF THANKS AND APPRECIATION FOR MY SUPPORT FOR WALT. I HOPE YOU GUYS GIVE HIM THE GO.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JOHN.

SECOND FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. MR. STEVE LAWRENCE.

WELCOME. >> CHAIRPERSON SNYDER, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MY NAME IS STEVE LAWRENCE.

I'M CURRENTLY THE PRECINCT FOUR G.O.P. CHAIR FOR PRECINCT 48.

HOWEVER, I'M REPRESENTING MYSELF FOR THESE COMMENTS.

BEFORE I GO ON TO THE COMMENTS, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE FOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS. YOU DID A GREAT JOB OUT ON THE PAVEMENT AND DURING THE CAM CAMPAIGN.

IT WAS GREAT BEING OUT THERE WITH YOU.

THANKS A LOT. KYLE.

>> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT IS... IS ITEM NUMBER 16 ON THE AGENDA. I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER ANOTHER POSSIBILITY. ITEM... IT IS THE APPOINTMENT BY ELECTION OF DIRECTORS OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS MEMBERS OF THE WOODLANDS CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU. DBA VISIT THE WOODLANDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS BYLAWS. THE VTW BYLAWS DON'T REQUIRE THAT THE BOARD MEMBERS TO BE SITTING TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBERS.

THEREFORE, I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE BOARD TO CREATE A

[00:10:03]

I THINK HE HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB.

HE IS OUTSTANDINGLY QUALIFIED. AND SEEING AS HOW THERE IS NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR VISIT THE WOODLANDS TO BE A SITTING BOARD MEMBER, I THINK HE WOULD BE OUTSTANDING.

DR. SNYDER, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. LAWRENCE. A THIRD PERSON.

IF YOU WILL PAUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

SIMPLY BECAUSE I FORGOT TO READ WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT. MR. BROWN.

(LAUGHTER) PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND OPEN MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS WELCOMED AND ENCOURAGED. A PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA ITEM IS INCLUDED IN THE BEGINNING OF ALL REGULAR BOARD AGENDAS.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD ADOPTED POLICY TO PRODUCE THE MOST EFFICIENT AND MOST EFFECTIVE PROCESS FOR ALLOWING CONSTITUENTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACCEPTS PUBLIC COMMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION AND PUBLIC MEETINGS: EACH PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD M MUST FIRT SIGN THE SPEAKER'S ROSTER PROVIDED BY THE BOARD SECRETARY.

INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO MAKE GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS ADDRESS A TOPIC THAT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA OR WHO WISH TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS MUST DO SO UNDER THE PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA ITEM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.

INDIVIDUALS WILL BE LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF THREE MINUTES REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF TOPICS.

SPEAKERS WILL BE TAKEN IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY SIGN UP.

ANY SPEAKER ON A SINGLE SUBJECT MAY YIELD THEIR TIME TO ANOTHER SPEAKER ON THE LIST. STATE LAW PROHIBITS THE BOARD FROM FORMALLY ACTING ON A SPECIFIC ITEM OR PUBLIC COMMENT UNLESS IT APPEARS ON THE POSTED AGENDA.

THEREFORE, ANY BOARD DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT INCLUDED ON THE POSTED AGENDA IS LIMITED TO QUESTIONS FOR CLARIFICATION.

WHETHER OR NOT THE ITEMS SHOULD BE PLACED ON A FUTURE BOARD AGENDA. SPEAKERS MAY EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS OR VIEWPOINTS ON AN ISSUE.

THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEBATE OF THE ISSUE. SPEAKERS WILL NOT USE PROFANITY.

COMMENTS FROM SPEAKERS CAN BE MADE TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE OR TO AN INDIVIDUAL DIRECTOR. ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU TO PLEASE PLACE YOUR CELL PHONES ON THE SILENT MODE.

AND WITH THAT, ANNA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

ANNA CASCIO IS OUR NEXT ON PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD. CONGRATULATIONS.

MY NAME IS ANNA CASCIO. I'M A RESIDENT OF WINDSOR HILLS.

I AM WANTING TO ADDRESS TODAY AGENDA NUMBER 16.

THAT ALSO DEALS WITH VISIT THE WOODLANDS, COINCIDENTALLY MR. LAWRENCE JUST SPOKE. VIZ VISIT THE WOODLANDS IS THE OFFICIAL DESTINATION MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMOTING THE WOODLANDS DRIVE DEMAND FOR BOTH HOTEL AND RETAIL TAX COLLECTIONS WHICH HELPS KEEP OUR TAXES DOWN.

VISIT THE WOODLANDS IS VERY ENERGETIC.

IT IS HIGHLY TALENTED, DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS.

THEY FULFILLED THEIR MISSION BY SETTING VERY HIGH STANDARDS.

THEY CREATE AND MAINTAIN ALL OF THEIR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WHILE SERVING THE WOODLANDS.

AND ATTRACTING TOURISM INDUSTRY. A BIG THANK YOU TO NICK WALDA THAT HAS CONTINUED BEING PRESIDENT AND DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB. I ALSO HAVE TO MENTION ELIZABETH, ASHLEY, AMBER, MARY, JOSIE, ASHLEY, JULIE AND GABBY.

IF YOU HAVEN'T MET THEM, YOU REALLY SHOULD.

THIS IS VERY TALENTED GROUP. VERY SPECIALIZED IN THE NICHE OF WHAT THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO DO. THEY SAVED US MANY DURING COVID.

THEY SWITCHED EVERYTHING AROUND AND CAME IN-HOUSE.

THEY HAVE JUST BEEN MARVELOUS WORKING HORSE.

NOW, HAVING SAID THAT, I CAN ATTEST BECAUSE I DO ATTEND VISIT THE WOODLANDS MEETINGS, THAT MR BRUCE RIESER HAS UNPARALLELED KNOWLEDGE AND BUSINESS SAVVINESS THAT HAS REALLY HELPED GUIDE VISIT THE WOODLANDS ALONG AND HAS MADE IT THE SUCCESS IT IS.

SO VISIT THE WOODLANDS HAS BEEN A SUCCESS.

[00:15:10]

THAT IS IF HE ACCEPTS. BECAUSE I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HIM ABOUT IT. BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN MAINTAINING MR RIESER AS A AN IRREPLACEABLE MEMBER OF VISIT THE WOODLANDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, ANNA. SIMON.

>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE TOWNSHIP STAFF, THE LOCAL RESIDENTS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT. MY NAME IS SIMON.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS HERE.

THE SOCCER CLUB. I WANT TO BRING A QUICK UPDATE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 30 DAYS.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE NEXT 0 DAYS OR SO.

WE HAVE A MATCH COMING UP THIS SATURDAY.

I HAVE 220 TEAMS COMING TO THE FACILITY.

THAT IS ON SATURDAY, STARTING AT 7:30 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M.

IT IS A FESTIVAL OF SOCCER. (INAUDIBLE) WE WILL HAVE ABOUT 7,000 PEOPLE ON SITE. WE WILL HAVE A BUSY WEEKEND TO FINISH OFF THE FALL SEASON. IT IS DANCE COMPETITIONS.

IT IS A GREAT WAY TO END THE FALL SEASON.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. THERE ARE 250-PLUS REC COACHES WHO ARE LOCAL RESIDENTS. THEY VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO GIVE BACK TO THESE LOCAL CHILDREN.

WE HAVE HAD 300-PLUS VOLUNTEERS. WE HAVE HAD THE REFEREES EVERY SATURDAY. THE TOTAL GAME COUNT WAS 520 GAMES PLAYED ON SATURDAYS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE TOWNSHIP STAFF FOR ALL THEIR WORK AND THEIR EFFORTS IN WORKING WITH US TO TRY AND GET THIS GOING FROM SEPTEMBER ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO NOVEMBER. BUT IT IS, AGAIN, A GRASSROOTS (INAUDIBLE) COME OUT AND SEE THE SMILES ON THESE KIDS' FACES.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FORMER BOARD MEMBERS AND ALL THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE. THE YEARS GO BY.

THERE ARE FACES ON THE BOARD. I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST IN THE COMING DAYS, MONTHS, AND YEARS AND ALL THE HARD WORK YOU WILL PUT INTO THE BOARD AND LOOKING AFTER US ALL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WILL BE BACK AFTER THE NEW

YEAR. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIMON. >> NEXT ON PUBLIC COMMENT, DONNA

MCCLAIRE. >> GOOD EVENING CHAIR SNYDER AND THE BOARD. I'M A PRECINCT CHAIR FROM PRECINCT 61 AND A 60 DIRECTOR. I'M ALSO REPPING MYSELF TONIGHT.

ON ITEM NUMBER 16, AS BOTH STEVE LAWRENCE AND ANNA COMMENTED ON, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY SUPPORT TO THOSE COMMENTS.

I WANT TO ADD MY SUPPORT TO... WHETHER OR NOT YOU ESTABLISH THE POSITION OF THE CHAIRMAN EMERITUS, I ALSO FEEL BRUCE RIESER COULD BE RETAINED AS A CHAIR OF THE VISIT THE WOODLANDS COMMITTEE. MY COMMENTS ARE BRIEF TONIGHT.

BUT THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DONNA.

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

AND BRICKS US TO... AND BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM SIX.

I KNOW WE HAD THIS A WEEK AGO. IT WAS OUR NOVEMBER MEETING.

WE DO HAVE TWO OF OUR VILLAGE PRESIDENTS HERE FROM ALDENBRIDGE

[00:20:05]

START. >> GOOD EVENING, CHAIRWOMAN SNYDER AND DIRECTORS. MY NAME IS MARIANNE BRADEN, AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALDENBRIDGE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE VILLAGE. I WAS HERE LAST WEEK.

I GAVE YOU A MORE DETAILED UPDATE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY SHORT TONIGHT WITH A FEW THINGS TO MENTION. WE ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE HOLIDAY LIGHTING CONTEST SPONSORED BY THE TOWNSHIP AND ARE STILL ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS THROUGH DECEMBER 9.

WE WILL BE OUT LOOKING AT NOMINATIONS NEXT WEEK, AND THE AWARDS WILL BE MADE HON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 18.

A REMINDER THAT OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 10 AT FIRE STATION NUMBER FOUR AT 7900 BAY BRANCH DIFFERENT LOCATR US. WE WILL NOT BE AT THE TOWNSHIP.

I WANT TO CLOSE BY WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY HOLIDAY.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW YEAR.

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MARIANNE. AS ALWAYS, AND FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU AND YOUR VILLAGE ASSOCIATION DOES FOR SO MANY.

NANCY BECKER. CREEKSIDE PARK.

I THINK CONGRATULATIONS IS IN ORDER TO... IN ADDITION TO YOUR

FAMILY. >> YES, IT IS.

WE HAD A SURPRISE THIS MORNING. OUR DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WHO WAS DUE TO HAVE A SCHEDULED C-SECTION ON DECEMBER 21 HAD HER WATER BREAK IN THE MORNING, AND THE BABY WAS DELIVERED AT 4:36.

WE HAVE A NEW GRANDDAUGHTER. WE HAVE DOUBLED OUR GRANDECHILDREN. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE ARE SO EXCITED. WE ARE NAME IS MAGGIE.

WE DON'T HAVE A MIDDLE NAME YET, BUT WE ARE HAPPY.

SO GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS. I FIRST WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND CONGRATULATE CHAIRWOMAN SNYDER AND THE NEW OFFICERS. I AND OUR VILLAGE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING... TO YOUR CONTINUING HELP IN THE FUTURE.

THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR BEGINS WITH PREPARATION FOR OUR WINTER FESTIVAL AND CHILI COOK-OFF THAT WILL TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY 21, 2023. CHILI COOK-OFF TEAM EQUIPMENT IS UNDER WAY. ANYONE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, PLEASE SEND THEM OUR WAY.

I WAS NOT HERE LAST WEDNESDAY. I FEEL OUR BOARD HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL THIS YEAR, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE OF THE SAME. IN JANUARY, WE WILL ONCE AGAIN SOLICIT NEW IDEAS FROM THE BOARD.

OUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTING CONTEST IS UNDER WAY WITH WINNERS TO BE AWARDED ON DECEMBER 14, WEATHER-PERMITTING.

NOW, A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS HAVE RECENTLY LED TO SOME ACTION.

FIRST, WE HAD A DOG ATTACK A RESIDENT ON THE WEST SIDE OF KIRKENDALL ON THE PATHWAY. THE DOG WAS LOOSE.

THE OWNER WAS NOT PRESENT. THE MAN WAS ABLE TO KICK THE DOG AND WAS NOT INJURED. WE TALKED TO THE OWNER.

WE FEEL THIS WAS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION BUT WE WERE TOLD THE PROPER PROCEDURE IS TO CALL ANIMAL CONTROL IN THE FUTURE FOR THEM TO FOLLOW UP. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THIS DOG HAS BEEN CAUSING HAVOC FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

BUT THIS IS THE FIRST THAT WE ARE HEARING ABOUT IT.

SECOND, WE ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH DRIVERS IN THE VILLAGE CENTER AREA. WE HAVE CONTACTED PRECINCT THREE HARRIS COUNTY. THEY WILL BE INSTALLING SIGNS IN PLACE WHERE IS THEY ARE NEEDED. NOW THE ELEPHANT IN THE VILLAGE.

IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OUTAGES. INCLUDING THREE TO FOUR ON THANKSGIVING DAY. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR SERVICE AREA MANAGER FOR CREEKSISIDE PARK.

HE ISSUED A REPORT ON NOVEMBER 22 WHICH HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS WHICH HAD TAKEN PLACE AND THE ACTIONS TO FIX THEIR PROBLEMS. WE THOUGHT THINGS WERE OKAY UNTIL THE OUTAGES ON THANKSGIVING AND AGAIN ON THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY.

I THINK WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE ESCALATION IS REQUIRED, AND WE ASK FOR YOUR HELP. I HEARD FROM JUSTIN THEY ARE STILL INVESTIGATING PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEMS EXTEND BEYOND CREEKSIDE PARK INTO SURROUNDING AREAS.

THE RESIDENTS ARE VERY UPSET WITH THESE PROBLEMS. NOT ONLY ARE THE RESIDENTS WITHOUT POWER FOR PERIODS OF TIME, BUT THE CIRCUIT OPERATIONS OR AS WE CALL THEM, BLIPS, HAS DAMAGED EQUIPMENT FOR SOME PEOPLE.

WE HAVE HEARD OF ONE PERSON HAVING AROUND $2,000 OF DAMAGE.

WE ASK FOR ASSISTANCE TO GET TRANSPARENCY AND ACTION ON FIXING THESE PROBLEMS. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A RELIABILITY COMPARISON OVER OUR SERVICE AREA VERSUS THOSE OF

[00:25:02]

YES, I KNOW THIS IS EXPENSIVE AND WILL COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THE RESIDENTS ARE BRINGING THIS UP ONCE AGAIN. I AM NOT SURE THAT THE SOLUTION TO MOST OF THESE ISSUES IS BURYING THE LINES.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO STABILIZE OUR ELECTRICITY.

I ATTENDED THE RIBBON-CUTTING YESTERDAY FOR THE GOSLING BRIDGE. THE BRIDGE IS NOT FULLY COMPLETED. MOST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS SOUTH OF CREEKSIDE PARK ARE COMPLETE OR NEARLY FINISHED.

THE CONTRACTORS HAVE DONE A FINE JOB WITH THEIR EFFORTS.

WE WELCOMED THE IMPROVED TRAFFIC FLOW OVER THE BRIDGE AND THE ROADS PROVIDED. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, NANCY. >> AND CENTERPOINT IS ON THE AGENDA, ITEM EIGHT THIS EVENING. NEED A MOTION AND SECOND TO ACCEPT THE REPORTS GIVEN BY BOTH OF THE VILLAGE.

>> MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED. AND SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RESPOND BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED?

[ CONSENT AGENDA]

NO DISCUSSION WILL TAKE PLACE ON ITEM IS REMOVED WHICH 7-D WAS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND REPLACED ON THE REGULAR AGENDA BY ANY BOARD. THERE ARE NOW EIGHT ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. PAGES 4-114.

IS THERE A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 7-D? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> KYLE?

>> LINDA DID. >> OH, THANK YOU.

>> DISCUSSION? WELL, THERE IS NO DISCUSSION.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RESPOND BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED, MOTION PASSES.

[d. Receive, consider and act upon the annual Service Agreement with Interfaith of The Woodlands for senior transportation services (C-2022-0420);]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIR SNYDER.

AS YOU INDICATED, THIS IS FOR THE SENIOR TRANSPORT PROGRAM WITH INTERFAITH OF THE WOOD WOODLANDS, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE RIDES THAT THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES IS TO SENIORS TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, SHOPPING, REALLY, YOU KNOW, ALLOWING SENIORS TO LIVE IN THEIR HOMES LONGER WHICH IS ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, FROM A RESEARCH STANDPOINT, WHERE SENIORS REALLY NEED TO BE. STAYING LONGER IN THEIR HOMES.

$80,000 IS BUDGETED FOR THIS PROGRAM.

I LOOKED UP THE NOVEMBER STATS. WE HAD 48 RIDES.

THEY ARE ABOUT 25 UNIQUE RIDERS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.

THAT WAS JUST NOVEMBER'S STATS ALONE.

WE ARE REQUESTING THAT WE... THAT THE BOARD APPROVES THIS AGREEMENT AND ALLOWS THE BOARD TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT.

>> THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION AND SECOND TO

APPROVE 7-D? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> SECOND.

I WOULD LIKE DISCUSSION. >> AND THEN IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. IT IS ACTUALLY JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS.

YOU MENTIONED ABOUT 25 OR SO SENIORS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS

PROGRAM? >> YES.

>> ARE THERE OTHER... I HAVE A QUESTION LIKE HOW DO YOU APPLY? HOW DOES ONE QUALIFY? DO WE POST THAT ON OUR WEBSITE?

>> THERE ARE POSTINGS ON THE WEBSITES.

ADVERTISEMENTS ABOUT THE PRO PROGRAMS.

>> DO WE HAVE CAPACITY TO GROW? >> THERE IS A LITTLE BIT IN THE CAPACITY... WITHIN THE EXISTING BUDGETED DOLLARS, THERE IS SOME CAPACITY. I DID LOOK AT THE YEAR.

>> I KEEP HEARING ABOUT THE AGING OF THE COMMUNITY.

NOT THAT I'M PART OF IT. YOU KNOW...

>> IT IS ALSO IF YOU DO OR DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION. AND SO THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SENIOR SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION. THERE ARE STILL MANY IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE ACCESS TO VEHICLES WHO ARE DRIVING THEMSELVES. BUT AS, YOU KNOW, AGE WEARS ON OR YOU DON'T HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, THESE OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS SOMEWHAT OF A... I DON'T WANT TO SAY A STOPGAP.

BUT ANOTHER AVAILABLE RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO USE. ESPECIALLY AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THE ABILITY TO STAY AT HOME.

[00:30:01]

>> IT IS. >> TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> IT IS. YES.

>> THIS IS ONE PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS THAT.

>> TO DRILL DOWN A LITTLE BIT, DO THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL JUSTIFICATION FOR THIS?

>> NO. >> THAT IS NOT A FEATURE.

WELL, THAT IS GOOD. AND THEN MY THOUGHT WAS WHEN YOU SAID MEDICAL, SOME PEOPLE PROBABLY ROLL ON.

THEY WOULDN'T... MEANING THEY WOULD NEED SOME FOR A WHILE.

THEN MAYBE NOT NEED IT LATER. THAT SORT OF THING.

IS THERE AN ACCOMMODATION FOR THAT?

>> ONCE YOU MEET THE AGE REQUIREMENTS, YOU CAN USE THE PROGRAM. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A

DISABILITY. >> IT IS LIKE AN UBER FOR

SENIORS? >> I WOULDN'T GO THAT FAR.

IN CONCEPT. >> WELL THAT, SOUNDS GREAT.

SOUNDS GREAT. I APPLAUD THE TOWNSHIP FOR BEING A PART OF THIS. FOR SO MANY YEARS.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM TO CONTINUE AND POSSIBLY LOOK TO EXPANDING IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD SAY IS NECESSARY.

YOU DIDN'T SAY THAT, SO I'M NOT PUTTING WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH.

I'M SURE YOU WOULD IF YOU FELT IT WAS NECESSARY.

>> YOU HAVE THE ADEQUATE DOLLARS RIGHT NOW IN YOUR BUDGET TO

COVER THE EXPENSES. >> CHRIS, TIME IN FAVOR.

I WAS CURIOUS BECAUSE ON CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 7-C, THE DISCUSSION OF THE MEALS ON WHEELS SENIOR RIDES PROGRAM, IS THIS SIMILAR

TO THAT? >> A LITTLE NUANCE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF THE QUALIFICATIONS AND THE FUNDING SOURCES.

OF THOSE PROGRAMS. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> AND 7-D WAS PULLED BECAUSE I SERVE ON THE INTERFAITH ADVISORY BOARD.

AND THEY ARE BOTH WONDERFUL PROGRAMS. FURTHER DISCUSSION? QUESTIONS FOR DR. NOONS?

IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED. >> ONE ABSTENTION.

[8. Receive, consider and act upon an update from CenterPoint Energy regarding power outages;]

PRESENT THE INFORMATION. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NANCY GAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT I WAS GOING TO BE GIVING.

WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT AS WELL AS THE CREEKSIDE PARK VILLAGE ASSOCIATION WITH NANCY AND COMMUNICATION WITH CENTERPOINT ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGE THAT IS OUR RESIDENTS ARE FACING DOWN IN THE CREEKSIDE PARK AREA. WE, AS A TOWNSHIP ARE ALSO IMPACTED. AS WE HAVE FACILITIES DOWN THERE AS WELL. THE RECREATION CENTER, THE AQUATIC CENTER. IT IS SENSITIVE TO US TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE ISSUES ARE BEING ADDRESSED.

YEAH, WE COUNTED... WE IDENTIFIED ABOUT 12 OUTAGES DURING THE MONTH. SIX OF THEM LASTED ONE TO TWO MINUTES LONG. THREE TO FOUR LASTED FOUR TO EIGHT. AND THREE WERE PROLONGED BETWEEN 27-29 MINUTES. SO THOSE HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR EQUIPMENT. AS NANCY INDICATED.

SOME RESIDENTS WERE HAVING SOME CONCERNS.

WE HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO THEM, YOU KNOW, ALONG THE SAME ENERGY... INFORMATION THAT NANCY RECEIVED, REGARDINGST, YOU KNOW... THEY ARE DOUBLE-CHECKING THEIR LINES.

THE TREES, YOU KNOW, THE PROXIMITY OF THE TREES, THEIR LINES. THEY ALSO IDENTIFIED THERE WERE TIMES WHERE TWO LINES WERE ACTUALLY TOUCHING EACH OTHER.

THEY HAVE INSTALLED A POLE TO TRY TO REMEDY THAT ISSUE.

IN THE SHORT TERM. WE HAVE ALSO REACHED OUT TO THEM TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WE ARE WILLING TO WALK THE EASEMENTS, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS OUR LAND, TO TRY TO WORK WITH THEM, TO TRY TO REACH OUT TO THEM ABOUT WHAT TREE-TRIMMING CAN AND CANNOT BE DONE ON OUR RESERVES. THEY WILL... THEY ARE... THEY COULD NOT MEET HERE. THEY WANT TO HAVE A FULL REPORT MORE THAN THEY HAVE. THEY COULD NOT GET IT PREPARED BY TONIGHT. THEY ARE LOOKING TO COME TO THE BOARD AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.

HOPEFULLY, IN JANUARY. TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A FULL PRESENTATION ON WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE, WHAT ARE THEY FINDING OUT, AS WELL AS WHAT THE POTENTIAL REMEDIES ARE TO PROVIDE TO OUR RESIDENTS AND THE TOWNSHIP, IN GENERAL.

>> I BELIEVE THAT JUSTIN SENT BOTH OF US A LETTER.

>> YES. >> LATE AFTERNOON.

>> YES. >> I THINK IT MIGHT BE, IF YOU HAVE IT WITH YOU, YOU COULD SHARE IT WITH... OKAY.

WE WILL HAND THAT OUT. I DON'T HAVE IT RIGHT NOW.

>> CAN I GIVE IT TO YOU? >> SURE.

WE WILL MAKE COPIES. >> OKAY.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO, SINCE THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE. TO SHARE THAT.

>> THE LETTER IS, THE LETTER IS VERY, VERY SHORT.

FROM THE STANDPOINT OF... IT WAS SENT ABOUT 2:48, 3:00 THIS AFTERNOON. IN SHORT, I'LL READ IT.

I DON'T HAVE THE COPIES PRINTED OUT.

THE LETTER'S RESPONSE TO RECENT POWER INTERRUPTIONS IN THE SPRING WOODLANDS AREA "WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE INTERRUPTION INTERRUPTIONS AND HAVE TAKEN NECESSARY STEPS TO REPAIR AND REPLACE OR CLEAR THE FAULT THAT WAS IDENTIFIED.

AS NOT ALL COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCED THE OUTAGE, I HAVE LISTED BELOW THE DATE AND CAUSE OF THE OUTAGES STARTING NOVEMBER

[00:35:03]

WE HAVE ALSO IDENTIFIED TWO LOCATION WHERE IS THE OVERHEAD POWER LINES WERE GETTING TOGETHER WHEN THE WIND BLEW.

THOSE LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN SECURED, AND ONE WILL HAVE A NEW POLE PERMANENTLY INSTALLED TO INCREASE RELIABILITY.

LINE CREWS AND ENGINEERING HAVE INSPECTED THE CIRCUITS AND DEVICES. WE HAVEIDE PHI OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE TREES NEED TO BE TRIMMED AND WHERE WE ARE EXTENDING OUR PRIMARY LINES FURTHER FROM THE TREES ON EXTENSION ARMS. THEY ARE NOT CURRENTLY CAUSING AN ISSUE, BUT THIS WILL PREVENT FUTURE INTERRUPTION TO SERVICES. ONCE THE TIMELINE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED ON THE FUTURE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE,LY SHARE. CENTERPOINT VALUES PROVIDING OUR CUSTOMERS SERVICE ADDRESSING THESE CONCERNS." IT WAS VERY SHORT AND TO THE POINT ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING. THEY UNDERSTAND A MORE THOROUGH REPORT NEEDS TO BE MADE TO US AS WELL AS TO THE BOARD.

>> NO OUTAGES SINCE NOVEMBER 26? >> WE RAN A REPORT.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME HARDWARE THAT TELLS US WHEN OUTAGES ARE.

WE HAVE NOT HAD A REPORT. I VERIFIED THAT THIS MORNING.

THROUGH WILLIAM,... OUR I.T. DIRECTOR.

>> WE MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REPORT, BUT I BELIEVE I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL TEXT MESSAGES FROM RESIDENTS THAT THE POWER, BE IT

A SHORT TIME FRAME... >> AND REMEMBER, YOU HAVE MULTIPLE CIRCUITS IN THAT AREA. SO WHILE THE REC CENTER, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE TALKING MULTI-SQUARE-MILE AREA.

SO THEORETICALLY, PARTS OF THE AREA MAY BE WEST OF KIRKENDALL MAY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED. EAST OF THERE WAS NOT.

THIS IS A SNAP SHOT TO GIVE YOU SOME INDICATION OF WHAT WE HAVE

SEEN AT OUR OWN FACILITIESMENT. >> YEAH.

I THINK IN ADDITION TO CURATIVE ACTION, THEY NEED TO LOOK AT PREVENTATIVE OR A SCHEDULE TO ENSURE WHEN THE WEATHER CHANGES OR FOLIAGE GROWS OR THINGS HAPPEN, THAT WE ARE NOT PLAYING CATCH-UP HERE AND WE CAN AVOID SOME OF THIS STUFF.

>> SURE. SURE.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. DR. NOONS, TO ADDRESS THE COMMENT THAT PRESIDENT BECKER, THE PRESIDENT OF CREEKSIDE PARK BROUGHT UP. THAT SHE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO EXTRAPOLATE ON, WHAT IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT BURYING THESE LINES... AND THAT IS A SURPRISE TO ME.

I THOUGHT THE LINES WERE BURIED. I DON'T KNOW WHICH LINES ARE NOT BURIED. I THOUGHT OF THE WOODLANDS HAD PRETTY MUCH BURIED UTILITIES. THAT IS NUMBER ONE.

HAVE YOU HAD THE DISCUSSION WITH THE... WITH CENTERPOINT?

IS THIS THAT AN OPTION? >> HISTORICALLY, IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY THROUGH ENERGY, THOSE LINES WERE BURIED.

AS PART OF THE OVERALL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

AS THE COMMUNITY WAS FURTHER DEVELOPED, IT STARTED TO GET INTO AREAS THAT IS WERE NO LONGER ENERGY AREAS.

THOSE WERE CENTERPOINT AREAS. AND I BELIEVE THE HISTORY THAT I HAVE HEARD, THE DEVELOPER WORKED WITH CENTERPOINT TO TRY TO GET THEM TO BURY NOT ALL ELECTRICAL LINES, LIKE LINES TO THE BACK OF YOUR HOUSES ARE ABOVE GROUND. THESE ARE PRIMARILY... I DON'T WANT TO SAY HIGH-TRANSMISSION LINES BUT SECONDARY TRANSMISSION LINES THAT RUN IN CERTAIN AREAS. THEN THEY GO DOWN INTO THE GROUND AND THEN FEED TO THE VARIOUS HOUSES.

I BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION WHEN HURRICANE IKE HIT BACK IN 2007... SCWL 08? WITH CENTERPOINT, TO REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY OF PUTTING THE LINES UNDERGROUND.

BUT YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE LINES UNDERGROUND.

HOWEVER, IF IT IS OUTSIDE THE WOODLANDS, AND IT COMES IN AND THOSE LINES GET HIT, IT IS ST STILL, YOU KNOW, IT STILL BECOMES A CHALLENGE. AND IT WAS THE COST AT THAT POINT. AT CENTERPOINT.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THOSE COSTS HAVE GONE UP DRAMATICALLY FOR THAT 14 YEARS LATER. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE DISCUSSION POINTS THAT HAVE BEEN HAD WITH CENTERPOINT OVER THE YEARS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THIS... WHEN THEY COME, I GUESS THE SPECIFIC QUESTION WOULD BE CAN THEY REVIEW THAT FOR US?

WHEN THEY COME? >> WE CAN BE SURE TO ASK THEM.

KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT ONE MILE OF LINE.

THIS IS PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, A GUESSTIMATE OF 20-PLUS MILES.

IT IS ALSO NOT IN CREEKSIDE PARK.

IT IS MAY VALLEY IN THE RIDGE AREA AS WELL AS SOUTH OF WOODLANDS PARKWAY AROUND THE BRANCH CROSSING AREA.

IT PICKS UP AT THE ELEMENTARY AND SO ON.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DR. NOONS.

[00:40:04]

>> MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE

RESPOND BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

[9. Receive, consider and act upon an annual report from The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership; ]

WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE MR. STALEY WITH US THIS EVENING.

HE IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE WOODLANDS AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF HIS BOARD.

AND I'M SURE THAT MR. STALEY WILL INTRODUCE HIS CHAIR.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

AND DIRECTORS. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY ONCE AGAIN TO PRESENT OUR ANNUAL REPORT FOR OUR MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR THAT ENDED AUGUST 31.

WE ARE IN OUR NEW FISCAL YEAR. THIS COVERS THE PREVIOUS YEARS.

AGAIN, I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE STAFF THAT I HAVE HERE TODAY AND OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING MY CHAIRMAN, AND FOR THEIR SUPPORT NOT ONLY HERE TONIGHT BUT THE SUPPORT OF YOU, THE DIRECTORS AND THE BOARD ARE SO SUPPORTIVE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE APPRECIATE THAT. LET'S GET STARTED.

WE START EVERY PRESENTATION WITH THIS.

OUR STATEMENT OF PURPOSE BASICALLY GOES DOWN TO WHAT...

WHY DO WE EXIST? THAT IS TO PROMOTE JOB GROWTH AND ECONOMIC VITALITY IN THE WOODLANDS AREA.

WE DO THAT BY RECRUITING BUSINESSES, AND WE SUPPORT THOSE EXISTING BUSINESSES IN WHAT WE CALL JOB RETENTION AND EXPA EXPANSION. IT WILL ALWAYS BE THAT, I ASSURE YOU. WE ARE SO ADAMANT ABOUT.

THAT THIS IS OUR SERVICE AREA. 62 MILES.

IT IS WHAT MANY CALL SOUTH MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

THE WOODLANDS PRIMARILY IS A BIG PART OF THAT SERVICE AREA.

YOU CAN SEE HOW IT GOES UP TO THE RIVER, FOLLOWS THAT ALL THE WAY AROUND ON THE EAST SIDE, DOWN TO SPRING CREEK AND OVER TO 2978. GENERALLY SPEAKING.

AND THEN THOSE ARE THE PUBLIC ENTITIES THAT SUPPORT US IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THIS SERVICE AREA.

THIS ONE WE USE QUITE OFTEN. (LAUGHTER).

>> SO DO WE. >> EVERY PARKT MARKETING PIECE WE DO, THIS WILL BE IT IN. LET'S FACE IT.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ABOUT. RECOGNIZED AS THE BEST PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY OR THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN AMERICA.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE PROUD OF.

THANKS FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THAT.

TO THAT ENDEAVOR. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO PROMOTE DAILY. AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

BASICALLY, EVERYTHING I'M GOING TO SAY REVOLVES AROUND THAT.

SO THIS IS RECRUITMENT. IT HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE OVER THE LAST FISCAL YEAR. HERE IS A LIST OF THE PROJECTS THAT REQUIRE FORMAL RESPONSES. IT IS NOT A SIMPLE PHONE CALL.

IT IS NOT A SIMPLE TOUR OF THE WOODLANDS.

IT IS A DETAILED REPORT ON OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE RESPONDED TO 13, AS YOU CAN SEE THERE. TWO OF WHICH ARE SECURED.

YOU HAVE HEARD US TALK ABOUT THEM.

IN FACT, WE HAD A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR ONE OF THOSE.

DR. SEKULA-GIBBS WAS THERE FOR THE PROJECT GOLDEN SCRIPPS IS WHAT WE ACTUALLY CALLED IT. IT IS A PHARMACEUTICAL.

YOU SEE PROJECT PEGASUS OUTLINED THERE ALSO.

IT IS A LIFE SCIENCE COMPANY THAT IS ALSO IN THE RESEARCH AREA. IF WE LAID DOWN ALL OF THESE, IF WE DID, IT WOULD REPRESENT 1,700 NEW JOBS.

LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPANIES THAT WE RESPONDED TO.

OF COURSE, HEADQUARTERS, CELL THERAPY, AS I INDICATED.

MANUFACTURING, LIGHT MANUFACTURING.

IF WE DID LAND THOSE, IT WOULD BE 1,700 NEW JOBS.

BUSINESS RECRUITMENT IS ALWAYS TOP OF MIND FOR US.

AND THANKS TO THE TOWNSHIP, WE GET PASS-THROUGH FUNDING THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO OUR BUSINESS RECRUITMENT EFFORTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP.

SO THAT PASS-THROUGH FUNDING, LOOK AT THE TOP THERE OF THE ACTIVITIES. WE SPONSORED THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MONTH BACK IN MAY. WE PARTICIPATE ON THEIR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE.

[00:45:03]

WE ALSO SPONSORED THE GHP'S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE.

WE TRAVELED TO SAN DIEGO WITH THEM FOR PIE YOU INTERNATIONAL.

THAT IS THE LARGEST LIFE SCIENCE TRADE SHOW IN THE WORLD.

AND WE WERE THERE. ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AND PRIVILEGE TO GO TO PARIS TO VISIT WITH EXECTIVES WITH FRENCH GLOBAL COMPANIES. AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF... WITH THE GREATER PARTNERSHIP. WE WERE THE ONLY REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION THAT PARTICIPATED.

IN THAT. ALSO LISTED THERE AT THE BOTTOM WOULD BE OUR AD HOC ACTIVITY. THE TOP FEW ARE THE ASSOC ASSOCIATIONS, THE GROUPS THAT WE ARE MEMBERS OF.

THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS.

THE TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

THE TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

THAT TYPE OF ACTIVITY IS NOTED THERE.

AND THEN WE ALSO NOTE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAD WITH THE AD HOC AND ONE IN PARTICULAR, I THOUGHT WOULD BE WORTH NOTING TONIGHT. AND THAT WAS THE HEALTH INNOVATION SUMMIT THAT IS PUT ON BY CONGRESSMAN CRENSHAW.

LAST YEAR IT WAS AT RICE UNIVERSITY.

NEXT YEAR, THE WOODLANDS. AND I HOPE THAT DOES NOT GO IN THE PRESS BY THE WAY. JUST JOKING.

I TALKED TO CON YESTERDAY. SHE ASSURED ME IT IS GOING TO BE IN THE WOODLANDS. THEY HAVEN'T RELEASED IT, THOUGH. BUT IT WILL BE.

BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPA EXPANSION.

WE PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THE COMPANIES THAT ARE HERE.

169 VISITS. IF YOU COLLECTIVELY LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE EMPLOYERS, THEY REPRESENT 23,534 JOBS.

AND LOOK AT THE EXPANSION PROJECTS THAT ARE PART, AGAIN, OF BUSINESS RETENTION. HEALTH CARE CERTAINLY LEADS THOSE PROJECTS. YOU WILL SEE THERE.

INCLUDING EDUCATION. WHICH COINCIDENTALLY, NOT COINCIDENTALLY, ARE OUR TOP TWO SECTORS.

HEALTH CARE FOLLOWED BY EDUCATION.

SO NOW LET'S PAY ATTENTION TO OUR MAJOR EMPLOYERS.

THIS IS A SNAP SHOT OF THE NUMBER OF COMPANIES THAT WE IDENTIFY AS A MAJOR EMPLOYER. WHICH MEANS TO US THEY HAVE AT LEAST A HUNDRED PRIMARY JOBS. IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THESE ARE ALSO IDENTIFIED AS NON-RETAIL JOBS.

AND PLEASE DON'T TAKE THAT AS WE DON'T APPRECATE RETAIL.

WE DO. WE PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION.

WE DON'T ACTIVELY RECRUIT RE RETAIL.

PROVEN OVER THE MANY YEARS, IF YOU BRING PRIMARY JOB CREATION, JOBS TO THE MARKET, RETAIL FOLLOWS THAT.

YOU CAN SEE THERE WE HAD 84 COMPANIES LAST YEAR IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR EMPLOYER. THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS.

THE BAD NEWS... MANY OF YOU HEARD ME REPORT THIS EARLIER THIS YEAR. THOSE 84 EMPLOYERS REPRESENTS 36,637 JOBS. THAT IS DOWN ALMOST 2,000 JOBS.

THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. IN THE HISTORY OF THE WOODLANDS.

1974. YES.

THAT WAS HUGELY IMPACTFUL. THERE IS A REASON FOR IT.

IT IS NOT THAT WE ARE IN SUCH DIRE STRAITS.

WE LOST SOME MAJOR EMPLOYERS. EXXON-MOBILE BEING ONE OF THEM.

WHEN THEY MOVED SOUTH, WE LOST A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF JOBS.

A BIG PART OF THAT REDUCTION WAS THAT RELOCATION.

SO IT IS NOT AS IF THE DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY CAUSED THAT.

BUT IT IS REAL. WE LOST ALMOST 2,000 JOBS.

WE ARE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THAT.

WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT. IF WE LOOKED AT THOSE MAJOR EMPLOYERS, AS WE TAKE A SNAP SHOT OF THE TOP TEN, AGAIN, OF THE 84, THAT IS THE TOP TEN. LOOK AT THE DIVERSITY.

IN THE TOP TEN. CHEMICAL, EDUCATION, FINANCIAL SERVICES, HEALTH CARE, PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES, AND UTILITIES. THAT IS JUST THE TOP TEN.

YOU WANT A DIVERSIFIED SECTOR WHEN YOU ARE IN A VERY VIBRANT COMMUNITY. AND THAT PROVES THE POINT.

JUST IN THE TOP TEN. SO KEEP IN MIND, THOSE JOBS LISTED TO THE RIGHT THERE, THAT WAS A SNAP SHOT THE DAY THAT WE CONTACTED THEM. THEY HAD 2,974 JOBS.

THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN KEEP REAL NUMBERS ON THAT.

IT WAS A SNAP SHOT THAT DAY. LET'S DRIVE IT DOWN EVEN

[00:50:03]

REPRESENTED BY THOSE 84 COMPANIES.

YOU HAVE HEARD ME REPORT MANY TIMES, I'M SURE, HEALTH CARE.

OF THOSE 36,000 JOBS, ALMOST 37,000.

30.4% ARE IN HEALTH CARE. LOOK AT NUMBER TWO.

IT FOLLOWS IT... LEADING IT BY DOUBLE DIGITS.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE. AND IT IS LEADING EDUCATION WHICH I ALLUDED TO EARLIER. AGAIN, IF YOU LOOK AT THAT NUMBER FOUR, ENERGY, THAT WAS EXXON-MOBIL'S DEPARTURE.

BASICALLY. WHEN WE LOST THEM, ENERGY DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY. ENERGY OVER THE PAST MANY, MANY YEARS WAS OUR LEADING SECTOR. AS ALWAYS, IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

IS IT CHANGING? WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

THAT WILL BE DONE WHEN WE CONDUCT OUR NEXT REPORT.

LET'S LOOK AT MID-SIZE. BECAUSE WE HAD COMPANIES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN QUITE A FEW NU NUMBER, MOVE UP FROM WHAT WE CALL MID-SIZED. 40 JOBS.

TO 99. THAT MOVED UP TO THE MAJOR EMPLOYER LIST. IT IS WORTH NOTING WHO ARE IN ON THE MID-SIZED. THEN LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.

LGI HOMES. THAT MAY BE A MAJOR EMPLOYER NEXT YEAR. I WOULD SUSPECT IT PROBABLY WILL BE. AND THEN LOOK AT THE DIVERSITY.

THAT IS WHAT'S KEY. OF THOSE TEN COMPANIES, ACTUALLY, IT IS MORE THAN TEN. IF YOU LOOK AT JUST THE TOP TEN NUMBER, WE HAVE NINE SECTORS REPRESENTED THERE.

EVEN MORE DIVERSE. WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THAT SINGLE FACT. AND THIS IS, AGAIN, THE BREAKDOWN OF THOSE. NINE SECTORS.

WHICH IS A REMARKABLE STATISTIC IN ITSELF.

SO WE ARE VERY, VERY INVOLVED BOTH STATEWIDE, REGIONALLY, AND LOCALLY. LOOK TO THE LEFT THERE.

THOSE ARE ALL MEMBER-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE SUPPORT.

THAT WE ARE ACTIVE IN. THEY ALL ARE PART OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF COMPLIK DEVELOPMENT AND GO BIG TEXAS.

THAT IS THE TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

TAB, TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS.

WE ARE VERY ACTIVE. IECD.

THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

WE REGULAR ATTEND THEIR CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS.

AND OF COURSE, REGIONALLY, WE ARE VERY ACTIVE.

GHP, I HAVE GONE OVER THAT. VERY ACTIVE WITH THEM.

INCLUDING A NUMBER OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

AND THEN LOCALLY. WE SUPPORT WITH OUR TIME AS VOLUNTEERS, BUT ALSO WITH OUR CONTRIBUTIONS WITH SOME OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS, LISTED ON THE RIGHT THERE.

THIS ONE I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF. BECAUSE OF THE TEAM WE HAVE.

WE WERE RECOGNIZED BY RED NEWS, A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PUBLICATION, AS THE EDC OF THE YEAR.

THIS YEAR. AND WE ACCEPTED THAT AWARD.

I'M VERY PROUD OF THE TEAM THAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER OVER THE MANY YEARS AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

TO HELP US BE RANKED NUMBER ONE. VERY PROUD OF THAT.

ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES, WE TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF INTERNSHIPS. ANYBODY WANTS TO SEND US AN INTERN, WE WILL TAKE THEM. ESPECIALLY THE FREE ONES.

WE ARE VERY KEENLY INTERESTED. NO.

IT IS A FANTASTIC GROUP. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS ARE FANTASTIC TO WORK WITH. AND ALSO NOTED HERE, OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE INTERN FROM THERE. WE LOVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S TECHNICAL AND INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.

PREPARING THAT NEXT LEVEL OF WORKERS.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THE HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM GROUP.

AND THEN FINALLY, SOME OF THE ALLIES WE VISITED.

YES, SUGAR LAND IS ON THERE. THEY CAME TO US TO.

SEE HOW WE ARE DOING IT. THEY LIKE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. THEY LIKE TO SEE HOW THEY COULD DO BETTER. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, WE ARE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO BE OVER A HUNDRED PARTNERS.

THAT WAS A HUGE MILESTONE FOR US.

AND IT IS THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS THAT ENABLE US TO DO THAT.

WE ARE ACTUALLY AT 105... I'M LOOKING AT HOLLY.

IT CHANGES. IT COULD CHANGE TODAY.

105 NEW MEMBERS. AGAIN, THANKS TO OUR FUNDING PARTNERS THAT ALLOWED US THAT. THIS IS THE LEVEL OF MEMBERSHIP THAT WE HAVE. THIS WAS, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, BACK

[00:55:01]

WE LOST MEMBERS LAST YEAR. TWO SILVER.

WHICH IS $15,000. UP 24,999.

WE LOST 15 BRONZE MEMBERS. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR US TO ABSORB. BUT I'M VERY PROUD THAT WE GOT TWO NEW GOLD MEMBERS WHICH IS $25,000 AND ABOVE.

WE LOST TWO. WE HAD 17 NEW MEMBERS THAT HELPED OFF-SET THAT. WE LOST THOSE TWO.

LET ME REPHRASE. WE GAINED TWO NEW SILVER.

WE GABEED 15 BRONZES. THAT ENABLED US.

WE LOST TWO GOLD. THAT IS $50,000 IN ITSELF.

THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HURTFUL TO OUR BUDGET.

AND THE FIVE BRONZE, WELL, THAT IS $30,000.

IN ITSELF. SO WITH THOSE TWO NEW SILVER AND THE 15 BRONZES, IT HELPED TREMENDOUSLY OFF-SET THAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

YOU SEE HERE SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY OUR BOARD MEETINGS AND OUR PARTNER BRIEFINGS.

THOSE NOTED AT THE BOTTOM ARE THE PRESENTATIONS THAT HAPPENED BEFORE EACH OF OUR MEETINGS. AND THEN FINALLY, THIS IS THE OUTLINE, THE MANY EVENTS THAT WE DO FOR OUR MEMBERS.

YOU ARE ALL INVITED. KEEP THAT IN MIND.

YOU ARE ALWAYS INVITED TO OUR EVENTS.

KEEP THOSE IN MIND WHEN YOU SEE THE INVITATIONS.

LOOK AT OUR WEEKLY REPORT. IF YOU DON'T GET A COPY, LET US KNOW. EVERYTHING THAT WE PRODUCE AND TELL YOU ABOUT EVENTS IS IN OUR REPORT.

WE WANT YOU TO GO. AND BE THERE.

WE STARTED A MEMBERSHIP RETENTION PROGRAM, AND WE CONDUCTED 49 MEETINGS TO DATE THIS LAST FISCAL YEAR.

WHAT WAS ACTUALLY VALUABLE OUT OF THAT, WE HEARD FROM MEMBERS ABOUT CHANGES TO BETTER BENEFIT OUR MEMBERS.

YOU SEE THOSE IDENTIFIED AT THE BOTTOM.

AND THEN THERE IS OUR MARKETING COMMUNICATION OVERVIEWS.

NOTE THE NUMBER OF ADS, FACT SHEETS WHICH WE GET SO MANY REQUESTS FOR, AND THEN FINALLY, OUR PRESS RELEASE.

BUT IT CONTINUES TO BE A PRIORITY FOR US.

THEN OUR BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, ANYBODY ASK US TO SPEAK, WE WILL SPEAK. WE ARE THERE.

WE WILL BE HAPPY TO GIVE ANY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION AN OPENING. NEXT TUESDAY, THE GREATER USE AND PARTNERSHIP IS BRINGING A REGIONAL EVENT TO THE WOODLANDS.

I HAPPEN TO BE ON THE PANEL. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING WITH US.

ON THAT. THAT IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE.

THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO. EACH AND EVERY YEAR.

WITH THAT, I KNOW YOUR TIME IS PRECIOUS.

I CONCLUDE MY REPORT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

AND ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> ALWAYS.

BEFORE LISTENS LET'S DO A MOTION AND SECOND.

WE WILL OPEN IT UP FOR DISCUSSION.

>> SO MOVED TO ACCEPT. >> OKAY.

>> SECOND. >> THANK YOU BOTH.

MOVED AND SECONDED. DISCUSSION, QUESTIONS FOR MR.

STALEY? >> THANK YOU, MR. STALEY.

IN THE DISCLOSURE, MY FIRM WINSTED IS A MEMBER OF THE EDP.

I DON'T THINK THAT REQUIRES ANY ABSTENTION OR CREATES A CONFLICT OR RECUSAL. THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU DO. IT DOES BEAR A LOT OF FRUIT ON OUR COMMUNITY AND GENERATES A LOT OF BUSINESS AND REVENUE.

AND CREATES, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE IN NEW HOUSEHOLDS AND THEY STAY HERE INDEFINITELY. IT IS GREAT.

I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

ONE, WHEN WE ARE DEALING WITH THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERING US IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ULTIMATELY, THEY CHOOSE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, I'M WONDERING IS THERE SOME CONTINUOUS DIALOGUE ABOUT WHY THEY MADE THAT CHOICE, LIKE A POST MORE THEM POST MORTEM.

IF SO, ARE THERE CERTAIN THINGS THAT COULD HAVE HELPED US THAT ARE WITHIN OUR CONTROL THAT WE ARE NOT DOING THAT WE COULD DO?

IF YOU UNDERSTAND MY QUESTION. >> I DO.

ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WE DON'T HAVE A FORMAL FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM BECAUSE ONCE THEY MAKE THEIR DECISION, THEY BECOME VERY, VERY QUIET.

>> OKAY. >> ABOUT THAT.

IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO KNOW. A LOT OF TIMES.

NOW, WHAT WE DO GET THE ABILITY TO DO, IF WE WORK WITH A CONSULTANT, IN A RELOCATION, THEN YES, WE GET FEEDBACK FROM THEM. THEY DO TELL US WHY.

>> I MEAN, YOU LEARN MORE SOMETIMES FROM THE ONES YOU

DON'T WIN THAN THE ONES YOU DO. >> OUR SUCCESS RATE GOES UP DRAMATICALLY IF WE CAN GET THEM HERE FOR A VISIT.

THAT IS THE KEY. IF WE CAN GET THEM IN OUR COMMUNITY, SHOW THEM THE ASSETS AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE, OUR SUCCESS RATE GOES UP DRAMATICALLY.

[01:00:02]

SOMETIMES WE ARE LESS THAN COMPETITIVE ON THE STATEWIDE INCENTIVES. THAT IS WHY THIS CURRENT SESSION COMING UP IS KEENLY IMPORTANT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS.

AND THAT WE PAY ATTENTION TO THE ABILITY TO OFFER INCENTIVES.

I DIDN'T SAY ENTITLEMENTS. I SAID INCENTIVES.

THAT IS KEENLY IMPORTANT TO US IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE CERTAINLY LOST PROJECTS, SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE.

BECAUSE OF THAT. >> I HAD DINNER WITH SENATOR CREIGHTON LAST NIGHT. HE WAS EXPLAINING THERE IS A $0 BILLION SURPLUS, BUT THERE IS ALREADY OVER MAYBE $50 BILLION

OF REQUESTS. >> OH, OF COURSE.

>> SPEAK LOUD AND SPEAK OFTEN. RIGHT? OKAY. WELL, THE SECOND QUESTION IS SOMEWHAT RELATED TO THE FIRST. MAYBE YOU ANSWERED IT.

I WAS WONDERING WHAT TOOLS OR RESOURCES DO YOU WISH THAT THE EDP HAD OR THE COMMUNITY HAD THAT IS REALISTIC THAT WOULD HELP YOU TO EITHER GET THEM HERE TO THE WOODLANDS OR, YOU KNOW, HELP YOU TO OVERCOME SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU SEE IN.

>> WE ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE COMMUNITIES CERTAINLY IN THIS STATE. IT IS NOT AN ISSUE OF BEING COMPETITIVE SOMETIMES. IT IS AN ISSUE... THIS SOUNDS HORRIBLE. BUT SOMETIMES IT IS UP TO THE CHAIRMAN OR THE PRESIDENT OF THAT COMPANY WHERE THEY GO.

SOMETIMES EVEN THE SPOUSE. WE HAVE LOST SIGNIFICANT RELOCATIONS BECAUSE THE SPOUSE DID NOT WANT TO GO TO ONE PARTICULAR... WE ARE VERY COMPETITIVE.

KNOW THAT. >> YES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO AND YOUR TEAM.

YOU ALL WORK REALLY HARD. IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

I HAVE TALKED TO YOU MANY TIMES. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, SINCE COVID, OVER 250 CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS HAVE MOVED FROM OUT OF STATE TO TEXAS.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> HOW DO WE BEST POSITION OURSELVES, HOW DO WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX? WHAT TOOLS DO YOU NEED TO BE AT THE TOP OF THAT LIST TO GET IN FRONT OF THOSE COMPANIES RELOCATING HERE? AND HOW CAN WE GET THAT SITE VISIT WHERE YOU GET A LOT MORE, YOU GET A LOT MORE CHANCES TO WIN? HOW DO WE GET THEM HERE? AND HOW CAN WE WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE? WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO WITH THE COUNTY? TO GET THEM IN TO BE MORE LOCK-STEP WHEN WE GO ABOUT THIS? IF YOU COULD GO INTO THAT IN MORE DETAIL, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT MAJOR RELOCATIONS.

IN THAT PARTICULAR QUESTION. WHEN A COMPANY IS OUT OF STATE OR OUT OF COUNTRY, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THEY GO TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FIRST. THEY KNOW THAT.

THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO. TO LOOK FOR THOSE STATE OPPORTUNITIES. STATE INCENTIVE OPPORTUNITIES.

SO WE HAVE TO HAVE THE TOOLS AT THE STATE LEVEL FIRST.

NUMBER ONE. OR WE WILL NEVER GET THEM.

THEY WILL NEVER EVEN LOOK AT US. AND AGAIN, I'M STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AND SO THE ASSOCIATION THAT IS I NOTED THAT WE ARE A PART OF, THEY LOBBY VERY, VERY HARD.

AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE MEMBERS OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS.

FOR THE SUPPORT THAT THEY GIVE US, BUT ALSO THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE GET FROM THEM.

SO WITH THAT SAID, STATE LEVEL NUMBER ONE, YOU HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE. THEN WE GO TO... THEY WILL GO O'NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, FLORIDA.

THEY WILL PICK THE MOST EXIT TY ENVIRONMENT.

I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT THIS IS THE BEST COMMUNITY I HAVE EVER LIVED IN. OR EVER VISITED.

I KNOW THAT. BUT I'M TELLING YOU, MY COUNTERPARTS SAY THE EXACT SAME THING.

THAT THEY HAVE THE BEST COMMUNITY TO LIVE IN.

WE ALL DO. THAT IS WHY I SAID IT IS PARAMOUNT THAT WE GET THEM HERE. THAT WE GET THEM HERE TO VISIT.

ONCE WE GET THAT, OUR SUCCESS RATE CLIMBS DRAMATICALLY.

SO IT IS GETTING THEIR EAR, NUMBER ONE.

WE ARE VERY ACTIVE AND I'M A PROPONENT AND THANKFULLY, THIS BOARD SUPPORTS THAT, WE NEVER LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR DURING THE BEST TIMES OF THIS COMMUNITY ECONOMICALLY, OR THE WORST.

WE ARE ALWAYS AGGRESSIVELY GOING AFTER THE NEXT COMPANY.

AND KNOW THAT. WE ARE ALWAYS AGGRESSIVE.

WE NEVER SLOW DOWN. >> HOW OFTEN DO YOU PARTNER WITH VISIT THE WOODLANDS? DO YOU PARTNER A LOT WITH THEM?

>> WELL, THERE ARE OPPORT OPPORTUNITIES.

BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT RELOCATIONS, IF YOU HAVE ONE THAT CAME HERE AS A VISITOR, THAT IS A HUGE PLUS.

YOU KNOW, I GO BACK AND I HAVE TOLD THIS STORY.

IT IS OLD NEWS. WE HAVE ALL HEARD IT.

GERALD GLENN, AND CB & I, WHY DID HE MOVE THE COMPANY TO

[01:05:04]

THAT IS ONE EXAMPLE. THAT IS ONE EVERYBODY KNOWS.

WE ALL TALK ABOUT IT. IT WAS PARAMOUNT TO GET HIM HERE. WE LOVE THAT VISIT THE WOODLANDS IS ALL ABOUT BRINGING THE VISITORS HERE.

WE WANT THEM TO HAVE A FABULOUS EXPERIENCE AND THINK, HMM, THIS COULD BE A PLACE FOR MY BUSINESS.

>> YEAH. I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE A

MAJOR PARTNERSHIP, FOR SURE. >> YOU KNOW, I THINK TOO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT GERALD GLENN, BUT ALSO RON MEDDLESTAT, THE VERY

SAME. >> SURE DID.

>> AND ALL OF HIS TEAM. >> HE WAS ONE OF OUR STRONGEST ALLIES IN BUSINESS RECRUITMENT. HE REALLY WAS.

>> I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION. >> OKAY.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND IN MY REAL JOB, I'M FACING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND BILLS. I SPOKE TO SENATOR CREIGHTON ABOUT IT AS WELL. HOW, AS A BOARD, AS A TOWNSHIP, CAN WE HELP TELL THE STORY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLS TO ATTRACT THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST TO OUR COMMUNITY? HOW CAN WE HELP DURING THE LEDGE SLAY TY SESSION TO EXPLAIN THAT STORY?

>> EXACTLY AS YOU JUST EXPLAINED IT.

GETTING THE EAR OF SENATOR CREIGHTON.

GETTING THE EAR OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND TELLING THAT SAME STORY OVER AND OVER OF HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.

THE WOODLANDS CARRIES A LOT OF WEIGHT IN THIS STATE.

WE ALL KNOW THAT. AND THE FACT THAT YOU ARE IN YOUR POSITION BUT ENABLE YOU TO GET THE EAR OF THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS. I WOULD DEFINITELY APPRECIATE

YOUR SUPPORT IN THAT. >> WELL, WE ARE MOST HONORED THAT YOU ARE HERE. AND FOR YOUR BOARD WITH.

THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, OF ACCEPTING MR. STALEY'S REPORT, RESPOND BY

SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[10. Receive, consider and act upon the 2023 Service Agreement with The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership (C-2022-0491); ]

>> THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM TEN.

TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE 2023 SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE WOODLANDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP.

YOU CAN REFER TO PAGE 141-147, AND THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PRESIDENT OF VISIT THE WOODLANDS WILL PRESENT.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CHAIRMAN SNYDER AND DIRECTORS AS WELL.

GREAT QUESTIONS. I WOULD ECHO THE SAME.

ONCE WE GET MEETING PLANNERS HERE, IT IS THE SAME THING.

WE TURN THAT INTO BUSINESS. THEY JUST TO GET ON THE GROUND HERE, AND THAT IS OUR JOB. TO GET THEM HERE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT YEAR. GOING THROUGH THERE.

WHAT I WANT TO DO ON THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM.

I'LL BE VERY, VERY BRIEF. I WANT TO BRING UP A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT POINTS IN RELATION TO THE AGENDA ITEM.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS A PRIMARY FOUNDING INITIATIVE OF OUR ENABLING LEGISLATION. AS YOU LOOK AT OUR LEGISLATION, THAT IS WHAT WE HAD BACK IN 1993.

WE HAVE HAD A LONG PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WOODLANDS AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP. AND IN WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEM. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FROM TH THOSE... THE STANDPOINT OF VISIT THE WOODLANDS AS WELL.

THE EDP IS ALSO ON OUR COMMITTEES WITH VISIT THE WOODLAN. CAN WE LOOK AT SOME BIGGER AND GREATER IDEAS? CERTAINLY SO.

DIRECTOR NELSON, THAT IS A GREAT POINT YOU MAKE ON THAT.

SO THIS AGENDA ITEM IS THE 2023 SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AND THE WOODLANDS-AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP. AS STAFF, WE TOOK THE 2022 SERVICE AGREEMENT. WE MOVED IT TO 2023.

THE FUNDING IS $175,000 FOR THE EDP.

AND THEN GILL MENTIONED THIS PASS-THROUGH WITH OPPORTUNITY HOUSTON AS EVENTS COME UP OF GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO USE THAT $20,000 FOR.

SO WE DIDN'T MAKE ANY CHANGES ON THAT.

THIS WAS APPROVED IN THE BUDGET. AND THEN IT WAS UP FOR A REVIEW.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE CHANGES OR ALTERATIONS TO THE 202 AGREEMENT

GOING FORWARD. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU, MR. WALDEN. AGAIN, WE ARE HONORED TO SUPPORT THE WOODLANDS EDP. IT HAS BEEN VITAL AND SO IMPORTANT TO NOT ONLY OUR COMMUNITY BUT MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE GREATER HOUSTON AS WELL AS THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS.

FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE RELATIVELY NEW, THE TOWNSHIP, UNLIKE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, DOES NOT HAVE ITS OWN GOVERNMENTAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION.

BUT RATHER, RELIES HEAVILY AND HAS RELIED AS NICK SAID, ON THE EDP. AS A PARTNER TO PROVIDE EXPERTISE AND SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.

IN ORDER TO BRING AND RETAIN BUSINESSES, BOTH LARGE AND SNAL

[01:10:01]

THEY HAVE PROVIDE GREAT SERVICES OF DESTINATION, MARKETING, AND ALSO SUPPORT OF BRINGING VISITORS, CONVENTIONS IS, AND TRAVELERS TO THE WOODLANDS. AND IT PLAYS A VERY VITAL AND CRITICAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE SPEAKING TO TONIGHT.

I THINK MR. STALEY, YOU HAVE THE CONTRACT.

BOARD MEMBERS HAVE THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF THIS BOARD, THREE DIFFERENT MODIFICATIONS TO THE CONTRACT. ONE, WE WOULD POSSIBLY CONSIDER ADDING AN EX OFFICIO SPOT ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE CHAIRMAN OF WOODLANDS CVB, DOING BUSINESS AS VISIT THE WOODLANDS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. WE WOULD ALSO, AND IT IS... IF YOU REFER THE BOARD TO PAGE 143 IN YOUR BOARD PACKET, WE WOULD ALSO LIKE IT AS BULLET POINT FIVE OR FOUR DEPENDING ON HOW YOU COUNT. ON THAT.

IT READS, INCLUDE THE PERSON OF THE TOWNSHIP AND/OR A DESIGNATED DIRECTOR OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AND EDP'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS ALONG WITH OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

THAT IS A SECOND MODIFICATION. AND THE LAST IS THE LAST BULLET POINT ON PAGE 143. AND KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN IN DISCUSSION FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

ONCE IT WAS PUT INTO OUR AGREEMENT.

I'M GOING TO READ IT IN TOTAL DAY.

I WILL SHARE WITH YOU OUR SUGGESTED CHANGES THAT LEGAL COUNSEL HAS PROVIDED ME. FROM TIME TO TIME, THE EDP BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY CHOOSE TO TAKE A STATED POSITION BY AUTHORIZING A BOARD RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION TO ISSUES OF FEDERAL, STATEWIDE, OR LOCAL CONCERN. IN INSTANCES WHERE THE EDP BOARD WILL BE CONSIDERING A RESOLUTION OR STATED POSITION ON MATTERS THAT HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP, THE EDP C.E.O. AGREES TO MEET AND CONFER WITH THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, WE WERE AT A MEETING, AND THE CHAMBER PROPOSED AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOLUTION, AND WANTED SUPPORT FROM THE EDP.

AS DIRECTOR BAILEY HAS STATED, AS VICE CHAIRMAN WATSON HAS, THAT THIS LEGISLATION... LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS VERY MUCH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND MR. STALEY COULD NOT COMMENT ON IT BECAUSE HE NEEDED... AND WE HAD ALREADY MET AND POSTED THE AGENDA. HIS HANDS WERE TIED FOR HIM TO ASK HIS BOARD FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION TO SUPPORT WHAT THE CHAMBER WANTED, AND THEY WANTED THE EDP.

I THINK THAT IT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ANY ENTITY TO BE SO TIED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO HAVE SOME VOICE OF INDEPENDENCE. WITH THAT SAID, WITH EDP, MR. STALEY COULD DO AN EMAIL FOR APPROVAL.

CORRECT? WHEREAS WE COULD NOT.

WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE DISC DISCUSSION.

IT NEEDS TO BE LISTED AS AN AGENDA ITEM.

IT WOULD NEED TO WAIT UNTIL IT IS POSTED ON THE AGENDA AND THEN WE AS A BOARD, DISCUSS THAT. THE AMENDMENT THAT I WOULD LIKE WE, AS A BOARD TO CONSIDER IS C.E.O. AGREES TO MEET AND CONFER WITH THE DESIGNATED MEMBER AND/OR THE PRESIDENT OF THE TOWNSHIP. RATHER THAN BRING IT TO THE BOARD. THOSE ARE THREE.

WE CAN TAKE THEM... HELP. WE CAN TAKE THEM INDIVIDUALLY.

>> IT IS DIGS ON THE ITEMS. IT IS DISCUSSION ON THE ITEMS.

[01:15:06]

ANY ACTION THAT THIS BOARD WOULD HAVE TO TAKE WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE BOARD. I THINK THE POINT DR. SNIDER IS MAKING HERE IS THAT THE ABILITY FOR THE BOARD OR ITS PRESIDENT TO REACH OUT TO THE TOWNSHIP AND SAY "I WANT TO CONFER WITH YOU ON A LEGISLATIVE POSITION, IF THERE IS A DESIGNATED PERSON THAT CAN HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS, THEN BRING ANYTHING OF MATERIAL ACTION BACK TO THE BOARD, THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

OR WITH THE PRESIDENT, WITH MONIQUE.

THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, DR. SNYDER WITH THAT WORDING. THAT CLARIFIES.

>> IS THAT LANGUAGE WRITTEN? IT IS AVAILABLE TO US?

>> IS THERE A COPY FOR THE REST OF...

>> THE AMENDMENTS THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING?

>> YES. >> THOSE ARE MY HANDWRITTEN NOTES. THE COMMENTS.

I WAS HAPPY TO GO MAKE COPIES IF YOU WANT.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> A QUESTION ABOUT WHO... WOULD THAT BE A VARIABLE PERSON? THE MEET AND CONFER PERSON? WOULD IT BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD?

>> I THINK AS YOU REED IT, IT WOULD BE SOMEONE THAT WE EITHER

DESIGNATE OR THE CHAIRMAN. >> YEAH.

THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. THE AGREEMENT ITSELF IS PROVIDES FOR A DESIGNATED PERSON TO BE ON THE BOARD, IN ADDITION TO MONIQUE WHO IS ON THE BOARD. THE TOWNSHIP HAS TWO POSITIONS ON THE EDP BOARD. THE LIKELY PERSON WOULD BE THE PERSON THAT SITS ON THAT BOARD. THAT THEY WOULD CONFER WITH.

>> WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN. >> AT THIS POINT, HAS BEEN THE CHAIRMAN. CORRECT.

NOW THAT, DOESN'T MEAN THAT THIS BOARD COULD NOT DESIGNATE A DIFFERENT PERSON TO BE THE PERSON TO CONFER ON THAT.

>> I GUESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IS IT SAYS "DESIGNATED." I DOESN'T SAY DESIGNATED WHEN.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO HAVE A CRISIS ABILITY TO RESPOND

QUICKLY. >> I THINK IT IS JUST TOLESSEN THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN TO HAVE TO GET THE ENTIRE BOARD

TOGETHER TO SIMPLY CONFER. >> WELL, THERE IS TRANSPARENCY ISSUE AND THEN THERE IS TIME. YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TO RESPOND TO QUICKLY, THAT NEEDS

TO BE DONE NOWMENT. >> THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY ISSUE. THERE IS NO ACTION.

AS BRETT JUST INDICATED. THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE... ALL OF US TO TAKE ACTION. THIS IS SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE IS A CONFERENCE REQUIREMENT WITHIN THE EXISTING LANGUAGE.

AM I RIGHT? >> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

THE AGREEMENT... THE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS AGREEMENT AND WHAT IT GOES BACK TO IS THAT WHAT WE DON'T WANT FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT THIS TOWNSHIP IS SUPPORTING SIGNIFICANTLY WITH $195,000 A YEAR, FOR THIS ORGANIZATION TO TAKE A POSITION WHICH MAY BE COUNTER TO THE TOWNSHIP.

>> THAT IS MY POINT, YES. >> YES.

THE ISSUE I WOULD THINK, THEY WOULD NEED TO REACH OUT AND SAY, HEY, WE ARE BEING ASKED TO TAKE A POSITION ON X.

RIGHT? >> EXACTLY.

>> REACH OUT TO THE CHAIRMAN. REACH OUT TO MOE FOLK.

WHOEVER THAT PERSON WOULD BE. AND THEN AT LEAST HAVE AN ABILITY TO CONFER ON THE TOPIC, BUT YOU ARE NOT GOING AROUND THE REQUIREMENT THAT THIS BOARD HAS TO HAVE A MEETING TO TAKE ANY ACTION. FOR EXAMPLE, A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE EDP TAKING A POSITION HAS TO COME BACK TO THIS BOARD. I THINK WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IS RATHER THAN... IF SOMETHING COMES UP LIKE THAT, GILL HAVING TO SAY, I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING TO PRESENT OR ASK THAT THIS ISSUE BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. IF IT FALLS WITHIN ONE OF THE EXCEPTIONS. THIS IS A CONFERRING POWER, NOT AN ACTION POWER. THAT IS ■WHATDIRECTORWATSON

VERY APTLY STATED. >> YOU WOULDN'T BE SAYING THAT THE TOWNSHIP SUPPORTS THIS WITHOUT THE BOARD VOTING.

>> NO. SHE WOULD HAVE TO BRING THAT

BACK TO US. >> ABSOLUTELY.

IT HAS TO COME BACK TO THIS BOARD.

>> OKAY. >> SO IF YOU WOULD, BRETT, SUMMARIZE THE THREE POINTS THAT WE CAN, IF WE DECIDE TO CONSIDER THOSE NOW? OR IF THE BOARD WOULD LIKE IT WRITTEN OUT, AND WE CAN DEFER IT TO LATER ON IN THE MEETING.

WITH THE THREE... >> YEAH.

THERE IS TWO WAYS OF DOING. THIS YOU HAVE STATED WHAT THOSE CORRECT CHANGES ARE. WE CAN SAY THAT THIS IS APPROVED IN FORM WITH REGARD TO THESE CHANGES AND AUTHORIZED LEGAL COUNSEL. AND TO SIGN IT WITH THESE GENERAL CHANGES TO BE MADE. I THINK THAT WOULD ALLOW, THEN FOR DISAGREEMENT TO BE APPROVED TONIGHT, SIGNED BY MONIQUE, SENT OVER TO EDP. EDP HAS TO PRESENT THIS TO THEIR BOARD. THERE IS MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGREEMENT. AT THAT POINT, THE EDP KNOWS THE TOWNSHIP IS SUPPORTING THIS LANGUAGE.

[01:20:03]

>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR THE FORMER WHICH IS THAT WE APPROVE IT ON AS MODIFIED BASED UPON THOSE AREAS OF REVISION, TO BE MADE CONSISTENT WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED HERE TONIGHT THROUGH LEGAL COUNSEL.

>> SECOND THAT. >> BEFORE WE VOTE, I WOULD LIKE

TO HEAR THE AMENDMENTS AGAIN. >> OKAY.

>> (INAUDIBLE). >> I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE ON THEM

INDEPENDENTLY. >> THAT IS ACCEPTABLE MOTION AS WELL. THAT THEY BE VOTED ON INDEPENDENTLY. THE FIRST CHANGE WAS (INAUDIBLE) THAT IS IN ADDITION TO THE AGREEMENT.

YOU COULD DISCUS THAT AND VOTE ON.

THAT THAT WOULD BE GREAT. S.

>> OKAY. WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON THESE INDEPENDHE EX OFFICIO FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CVB... AND I SHOULD ASK, HAVE WE DISCUSSED THESE REVISIONS YET WITH THE EDP? ARE THESE... IS THAT GOING TO

NEED TO TAKE PLACE HERE AFTER? >> MY UNDERSTANDING, DR. SNYDER IS THAT YOU DID HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH MR. STALEY

ABOUT THE GENERAL CONCEPTS. >> OKAY.

>> SO I THEY ARE AWARE THAT THESE CONCEPTS HAVE BEEN

DISCUSSED CAN. >> OKAY.

>> YES. I DID CONSULT WITH BOTH

PRESIDENT SHARPE AS WELL AS... >> JUST MAKING SURE.

>> ABSOLUTELY. EXCELLENT POINT.

SO LET'S HAVE A MOTION SINCE WE HAVE... WE ARE DOING IT...

>> I'LL MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE FIRST EX OFFICIO MEMBER REVISION

THAT WAS JUST READ ALOUD. >> I SECOND.

>> OKAY. IT HAS BEEN MOVED BY DIRECTOR WATSON. SECONDED BY DIRECTOR BAILEY.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES.

>> THE SECOND ONE IN ADDITION TO BULLET NUMBER FOUR.

I'M GOING TO READ IT IN TOTAL. ( INAUDIBLE) THE CHANGE WOULD MEAN IT WOULD HAVE TO BE MONIQUE.

THIS COULD BE EITHER/OR A DIRECTOR DESIGNATED OR MONIQUE TO BE INVOLVED IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

>> OKAY, THEN. I DIDN'T QUITE CATCH THE FULL MEANING. I THOUGHT THAT WAS NUMBER THREE.

THAT IS NUMBER TWO? >> THREE IS THE CONFERRING.

>> CORRECT. THIS BULLET HAS TO DO WITH INCLUDING THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TOWNSHIP IN THE ECONOMIC

PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS. >> THAT IS MANDATORY.

THAT SOMEBODY BE THERE FROM THE TOWNSHIP IF?

>> IT IS NOT MANDATORY THAT THEY BE INCLUDED IN THE MEETINGS.

HISTORICALLY, IT WOULD JUST BE THE PRESIDENT.

THIS COMES FROM A PREVIOUS TERM. DON WANTED THAT TO BE HIM.

THE IDEA IS THAT IT MAY NOT HAVE TO BE JUST MONIQUE.

IT COULD BE A BOARD MEMBER AS WELL.

THAT IS INCLUDING AN ECONOMIC... >> THE CHAIRMAN OR SOMEBODY YOU

CHOOSE TO FILL IN FOR YOU. >> THE ONLY ADDITION RIGHT NOW IT SAYS... WHICH HAS BEEN OUR LEGAL DOCUMENT WITH EDP READS "INCLUDE THE PRESIDENT OF THE TOWNSHIP AND EDP'S ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS ALONG WITH OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE REGION." THIS JUST ADDS AS DISCUSSED WITH PRESIDENT SHARPE, THAT IT WOULD BE AND/OR, SO NOT ONLY WOULD SHE WHICH IS CURRENTLY IN THE CONTRACT, BUT IT COULD ALSO INCLUDE A DESIGNATED DIRECTOR OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP.

IT IS JUST ADDING IN CASE SHE IS NOT AVAILABLE OR WOULD LIKE ANOTHER... THE DESIGNATED PERSON FROM THE BOARD.

CORRECT? >> CORRECT.

WITH REGARD TO MEETING WITH THIRD PARTIES ON ECONOMIC...

MEETING WITH THE EDP TO TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> IT WOULD BE THE CHAIR OR SOMEONE THE CHAIR DESIGNATES.

>> YES. IT ENSURES OUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE MEETING, BUT DOES IT... BUT DOESN'T MANDATE WHO HAS BEEN...

HAS TO BE INVOLVED. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE MONIQUE.

>> YES. MOTION?

>> I'LL MOVE THAT WE ADOPT THIS REVISION AS IT HAS BEEN PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED. AND THAT YOU BE PRECEDED TO WORK WITH LEGAL TO GET THE LANGUAGE CONSISTENT THERE WITH.

>> SECOND? >> SECOND.

IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. FURTHER DISCUSSION?

[01:25:03]

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. AND THE LAST...

>> LAST BULLET IN THE AGREEMENT WHICH TALKS ABOUT, AS I THINK YOU READ OUT EARLIER, CHAIRMAN SNYDER, THIS HAS GOT TO DO WITH A STATED POSITION THAT THE EDP TAKES THAT THEY HAVE TO BRING THAT AND CONFER IF IT IS CONTRARY TO THE TOWNSHIP'S INTEREST AND ONCE AGAIN, THIS DID READ THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO COME TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. PRACTICALLY... I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO THAT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

THIS ADDS THAT IT WOULD BE THE SAME THING.

DESIGNATED MEMBER OF THE BOARD AND/OR THE PRESIDENT.

>> AND UNLESS SOMEBODY ELSE HAS FURTHER DISCUSSION, I THINK WE HAVE EXHAUSTED THIS POINT. I WOULD MOVE THAT THE LANGUAGE BE ADOPTED AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED FOR THIS REVISION AND THAT YOU PROCEED WITH LEGAL TO MODIFY THE PROPOSED CONTRACT THEREWITH.

>> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. TO ADD IN THE LAST BULLET, TO CONFER WITH THE PRESIDENT AND/OR THE DESIGNATED TOWNSHIP INDIVIDUAL... DIRECTOR. KEEKS EXCUSE ME.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU COMING THIS EVENING. AND SUPPORTING WHAT IS ALSO

VITAL IN OUR COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU.

>> WELL-DONE, MR. STALEY. ARE YOU COMING BACK AT OUR NEXT

MEETING? >> WHY NOT?

(LAUGHTER). >> THANK YOU ALL.

[11. Receive, consider, and act upon the selection of a consulting firm to perform a Compensation and Classification Study (C-2022-0393);]

YOU CAN LOOK AT PAGES 148-149, AND ANGELA BRANCH WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES WILL PRESENT.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN SNYDER. THANK YOU, BOARD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TONIGHT ABOUT OUR UPCOMING COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION STUDY.

WE ARE GOING TO CALL IT THE COMP STUDY.

TO JUST ADD BREVITY TO THE COMMENTS TONIGHT.

I'M GOING PROVIDE YOU SOME HISTORY AND BACKGROUND.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN OUTLINE OF THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATION FOR OUR CONSULTING PARTNER. SO YOU MIGHT ASK WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A COMPENSATION STUDY.

REALLY THIS IS A PERIODIC FORMAL REVIEW OF OUR COMPENSATION PRACTICES, OUR PAY STRUCTURE, AND THE EXTERNAL MARKET.

IT IS A STANDARD PRACTICE ACROSS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

AND CITIES ACROSS THE NATION REALLY.

TO ENGAGE IN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT TO PERFORM A STUDY LIKE THIS. MANY CITIES DO THIS PERIO PERIODICALLY. USUALLY, EVERY THREE TO FIVE YEARS OR SO. OUR INTENT IS TO BEGIN THIS WORK IN JANUARY WITH OUR CONSULTANT. AND TO HAVE RESULTS OF THE STUDY AVAILABLE FOR THE MAY TIME FRAME.

LEADING UP TO BUDGET PLANNING WORKSHOPS IN THAT TIME FRAME.

SO AS HISTORY, OUR FIRST COMPENSATION STUDY AT THE TOWNSHIP WAS DONE IN 2009 BY THE WATER'S CONSULTING GROUP.

THAT COMPENSATION REALLY FORMED THE BASIS FOR OUR CURRENT PAY STRUCTURE. IN 2019, WE DID A SECOND STUDY WITH THE PUBLIC SECTOR PERSONNEL CONSULTANTS.

WE MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CURRENT STRUCTURE.

MINIMAL IN NATURE. BUT DID MAKE SOME ADJUST MS. WE INTENDED TO DO OUR THIRD COMPENSATION STUDY IN 2022.

WE INCLUDED $65,000 IN THE 2022 BUDGET TO DO THIS COMP STUDY.

ONCE WE GOT INTO 2022 AND WE REALIZED THAT THE LABOR MARKET WAS STILL QUITE DYNAMIC, WE DETERMINED THAT THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION WAS TO POSTPONE OUR STUDY UNTIL 2023 TO, YOU KNOW, GET SOME BETTER DATA. SO WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO DO WITH THIS COMPENSATION STUD Y? REALLY THE GOAL IS TO ALIGN OUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND COMPENSATION PRACTICES WITH TOWNSHIP GOALS. IF YOU LOOK AT OUR VISION AND OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, WE NEED TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TOP TALENT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN OUR STATUS AS A HIGHLY RANKED TOWNSHIP IN ALL THESE DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS. SO ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TOP TALENT REQUIRES COMPENSATION PLANS THAT ACCOMMODATE THAT.

WE ALSO INTEND TO SUPPORT, PLOAM YOU... TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT OVER A CAREER. WE NEED A COMPENSATION SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS FOR PROMOTION AND PROGRESSION THROUGH THE SALARY

[01:30:02]

WHEN WE HAD OUR LAST COMPENSATION STUDY.

WE WANT TO ADDRESS THAT WITH THIS COMP STUDY.

WHEN I STARTED HERE AT THE TOWNSHIP ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, THE COMP STUDY WAS LITERALFY ON THE MIND OF EVERY EMPLOYEE THAT I MET. THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS THAT I HEARD ACROSS ALL EMPLOYEE GROUPS. I CONDUCTED SOME FOCUS GROUPS, AND AN EMPLOYEE SURVEY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE TOP CONCERN OF OUR STAFF. THERE WERE REALLY TWO THINGS.

COMPETITIVE PAY. THEY WANT TO BE PAID COMPETITIVELY FOR THE HARD WORK THAT THEY DO.

AND ALSO IT IS REALLY IMPERATIVE THAT WE HAVE COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT OUR COMPENSATION STUDY AND VERY TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATIONS WITH OUR STAFF ABOUT THE FINDINGS IN THIS COMP STUDY. MONIQUE APPOINTED THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM TO SERVE AS THE SELECTION TEAM TO PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION TO YOU IN MATERIALS OF THE CONSULTANTS THAT WE WORK WITH. THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM REPRESENTS ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEE GROUPS AT THE TOWNSHIP.

THAT TEAM MADE SENSE IN TERMS OF THE GROUP TO PROVIDE THIS RECOMMENDATION FOR YOU. IN TERMS OF SCOPE FOR THE COMP STUDY, WE WILL... WELL, THE CONSULTANT WILL CONDUCT A SURVEY OF ALL OF OUR CURRENT JOB DESCRIPTIONS.

WE WILL DO JOB ANALYSIS WHERE NEEDED.

THE GOAL IS TO EVALUATE ALL OF OUR POSITIONS.

THAT IS ABOUT 150 GENERAL EMPLOYEE POSITIONS.

THERE WILL BE A SURVEY ON SALARIES.

AND A MARKET SURVEY ON BENEFITS. WE WILL ESTABLISH AND COMMUNICATE A COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND OF COURSE, COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS.

WE ISSUED A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS IN SEPTEMBER, AND WE RECEIVED SIX RESPONSES. FROM THE FIRMS THAT YOU SEE LISTED THERE. ALL QUALIFIED FIRMS, ALL FIRMS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCE DOING SIMILAR KOCH STATION AND CLASSIFICATION STUDIES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

THE SELECTION TEAM EVALUATED ALL OF THE RESPONSES AND SCORED THOSE RESPONSES ON QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE, PROJECT DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY, THE RATES AND FEES, AND REFERENCES, AND THEN WE CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS WITH THE TOP THREE FIRMS. SO TONIGHT WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD A RECOMMENDATION TO ENGAGE WITH EVERGREEN SOLUTIONS FOR OUR COMP STUDY. THEIR PROPOSAL ACHIEVED THE HIGHEST AGGREGATE SCORES ACROSS THE CATEGORIES.

THEY EVER EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE WITH PUBLIC SECTOR COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION PROJECTS. OVER 60 PROJECTS HERE IN TEXAS, INCLUDING RECENT STUDIES FOR TWO OTHER CITIES.

WE ARE EXPECTING THIS PROJECT TO COST BETWEEN $55,000 AND $65,000. THAT IS WITHIN THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE SET ASIDE FOR 2022. THAT WILL BE CARRIED OVER TO 2023. WE ARE EXPECTING TO START OUR WORK IN JANUARY, 2023. AND HAVE THE BULK OF IT CONCLUDED BY MAY. WE WILL START IN JANUARY BY INVITING THE CONSULTANT TO ONE OF OUR BOARD MEETINGS SO THEY CAN PRESENT TO YOU A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT THEIR FIRM.

BUT ALSO THEIR METHODOLOGY AND GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF THEIR ASSESSMENT OF OUR CURRENT COMPENSATION SYSTEMS. AND THEN WE WILL INVITE THEM BACK AGAIN IN MAY WHERE THEY WILL REVIEW WITH YOU THEIR FINDINGS.

SO THE RECOMMENDATION WE HAVE FOR YOU TONIGHT IS TO AWARD THE PROPOSAL FOR THE COMP STUDY TO EVERGREEN SOLUTIONS AND TO AUTHORIZE MONIQUE TO EXECUTE ANY RELATED AGREEMENTS AS APPROVED

BY LEGAL COUNSEL. >> IS THERE A MOTION AND A

SECOND? >> MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> THE ONLY QUESTION I WOULD HAVE IS... AND I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH EVERGREEN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. DID THEY INDICATE THAT THEY HAVE BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE IN MEU MISPALTIES... MUNICIPALITIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONS OF GOVERNMENTAL

NATURE? >> YES.

SO THEY HAVE QUITE A REPERTOIRE. OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS. NOT JUST CITIES.

BUT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

>> OKAY. >> ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> OKAY. GREAT.

>> I HAVE A COMMENT, NOT A QUESTION SO MUCH.

HAVING BEEN THROUGH A COUPLE OF THOSE MYSELF, DIRECTED THOSE.

YOU HAVE MY SYMPATHY. >> THANK YOU.

(LAUGHTER). >> YEAH.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT. >> IT IS KIND OF AN INTERESTING TIME, YOU KNOW. ARE WE AT AT NEW NORMAL YET? THERE IS SO MUCH FLUCTUATION GOING ON STILL.

I WOULD BE INTERESTED IF THEY DO COME TO SPEAK WITH US TO FIND OUT ARE WE CLOSE TO A NEW NORMAL BEFORE WE SPEND ALL THIS MONEY AND STILL THERE IS SO MANY CHANGES GOING ON?

[01:35:04]

MONTHS AGO. >> YES.

>> HOPEFULLY, A FEW MONTHS FROM NOW, IT WILL BE DIFFERENT.

>> YES. AGREED.

>> IT IS HARD TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN GOOD TALENT IF YOU DON'T

HAVE YOUR PULSE ON THE MARKET. >> AMEN.

>> YUP. >> TELL THEM TO SWING BY AND MEET REQUEST GIRL... MEET WITH GILL ON THE WAY OUT.

THEY WILL RELOCATE TO THE MIDLANDS, TOO.

... THE WOODLANDS, TOO. >> MOTION WAS MADE BY DIRECTOR BAILEY. SECONDED BY DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS. ALL IN FAVOR, RESPOND BY SAYING

AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED, MOTION PASSES. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[12. Receive, consider and act upon adopting the Board of Directors meeting schedule for 2023;]

>> THANK YOU. >> THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 12. RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON ADOPTING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2023.

AND KAREN DEMPSEY, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER WILL PRESENT. IT IS ON PAGES 150-1015.

>> THANK YOU. EACH YEAR THE BOARD ADOPTS ITS SCHEDULE FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR. WHAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER IS BASED ON THE BOARD POLICY WHICH CURRENTLY STATES THAT THE BOARD MEETINGS WILL BE HELD ON THE FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH, AND THE THURSDAY PRIOR WHICH IS TYPICALLY THE THIRD THURSDAY.

THE DRAFT SCHEDULE THAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR MATERIALS DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY OF THE BUDGET MEETINGS.

THOSE WILL COME TO YOU SEPARATELY AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. WE TYPICALLY WAIT FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM THE TAX OFFICE BEFORE WE PUT THAT TOGETHER.

WE WILL ALSO LOOK AT HAVING A SERIES OF TRA STEEJIC PLANNING SESSIONS, AND THOSE ARE NOT CURRENTLY LISTED ON THIS SCHEDULE. BUT WE WILL DEVELOP A SCHEDULE FOR THOSE AS WELL. BASED ON WHAT IS PRESENTED, ALL OF THE MEETINGS WOULD BE HELD AT THIS BUILDING.

THE TOWNSHIP'S MAIN TOWN HALL. AND A COUPLE OF EXCEPTIONS TO THAT SCHEDULE ARE WHEN WE CANVASS THE ELECTION.

JUST LIKE THE PROCESS WE WENT THROUGH.

STATE LAW SETS THE TIME FRAME WHEN WE NEED TO CANVASS THE RESULTS. WE SET THE SCHEDULE AT LEAST INITIALLY, AS THE FRIDAY, LET'S SEE.

ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17. THANK YOU.

WHICH IS NOT AT THE DEADLINE. WE DO THAT BECAUSE QUITE OFTEN, WE KNOW DIRECTORS ARE TRYING TO MAKE TRAVEL PLANS FOR THANKSGIVING. SO WE TRY NOT TO INTERRUPT THAT.

HOWEVER, JUST LIKE THIS YEAR, IF WE AREN'T ABLE TO GET THE RESULTS BACK FROM THE COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICES IN TIME, THEY WILL BE DELAYED. THE OTHER ONE THAT IS BUMPED SLIGHTLY IS IN THE MONTH OF MARCH.

IT ACTUALLY IS THE FIFTH WEDNESDAY.

THAT IS TO AVOID THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S BRING BREAK WEEK.

SPRING BREAK WEEK. >> IS THERE A MOTION AND A

SECOND? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> SO MOVED AND SECONDED.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? FOR MR. DEMPSEY? IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

[13. Receive, consider and act upon appointments to the Development Standards Committee;]

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED.

IT PASSES. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 13. TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON AN APPOINTMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS COMMITTEE.

DR. NOONS, THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER WILL PRESENT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIR SNYDER.

THIS IS... YOU VISITED THIS ISSUE LAST WEEK WHERE YOU HAD INTERVIEWS FOR THREE OF THE FOUR CANDIDATES.

ONE OF THE CANDIDATES IS HERE TONIGHT, RANDY SHULTZ, AND THE OTHER THREE ARE NOT FROM OUR VIEW OF THE AUDIENCE.

YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO SELECT AT LEAST TWO APPOINTMENTS TO BE MADE. AS PART OF YOUR MOTION, AS A REMINDER THERE, NEEDS TO BE THE INCLUDING OF THE WOODLANDS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY DESIGNEES AS WELL.

KAREN DEMPSEY, OUR CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER WILL HANDLE THE ELECTION PROCESS, THE BALLOT PROCESS FOR YOUR

SELECTIONS. >> THANK YOU, DR. NOONS.

SO THIS PROCESS IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT THE BOARD DID LAST WEEK WHEN IT WAS ELECTING BOARD OFFICERS.

THERE IS A BALLOT. LY PASS THOSE OUT.

AND YOU WILL CHECK TWO OF THE NAMES.

AND SIGN IT. IF A CANDIDATE RECEIVES FOUR VOTES, HE OR SHE WILL BE CONSIDERED TO BE ELECTED.

OR SELECTED. IF WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND BECAUSE THERE ARE FOUR CANDIDATES, TWO DO NOT RECEIVE A

[01:40:03]

NAMES. >> AND A REMINDER: TO REFRESH.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE ON PAGES 152-169. IN YOUR BOARD PACKET.

>> THANK YOU. >> THIS IS WHEN THE "JEOPARDY" MUSIC PLAYS. (LAUGHTER).

>> WE DO HAVE TWO OF THE CANDIDATES THAT RECEIVED AT LEAST FOUR VOTES. AND THAT IS MARY FUNDERBERG AND

WALT LECHESKY. >> WITH THAT, WE NEED A MOTION.

TO APPOINT THE CANDIDATES FROM THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED TO THE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS COMMITTEE FOR TWO-YEAR TERMS BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2023 OR UNTIL SUCCESSORS ARE ASSIGNED AND APPOINT THE THREE WOODLANDS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY DESIGNEES.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

OH. DISCUSSION? I GUESS THERE IS NOT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY

SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES.

[14. Receive, consider and act upon appointments to the Audit Committee; ]

WE WILL CALL UPON OUR PRESIDENT SHARPE TO PRESENT.

THIS IS APPOINTMENTS TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.

>> I WANTED TO GIVE KELLEN THE NIGHT OFF.

WE DIDN'T ASK HER TO STAY FOR THIS BRIEF ITEM.

I'M DOING IT TONIGHT. THE PURPOSE OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE IS TO ASSIST THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN FULFILLING ITS OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY ON FIDUCIARY MATTERS, BY REVIEWING THE TOWNSHIP'S FINANCIAL INFORMATION, SYSTEMS, AND CONTROLS, FACILITATING THE OVERALL AUDIT PROCESS, AND PROVIDING OPEN AVENUES OF COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN OUR INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE TYPICALLY MEETS TWICE A YEAR, SOMETIMES THREE TIMES A YEAR. TYPICALLY, TWICE.

USUALLY, A PLANNING MEETING WITH THE AUDITORS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR. AND THEN AGAIN, IN JUNE WHEN THE AUDIT IS COMPLETE. THAT WOULD BE THE TIME

COMMITMENT. >> I CALL A MOTION TO AFFIRM THE CHAIRMAN'S APPOINTMENTS TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.

DR. BOB MILNER AND DIRECTOR D DR. SHELLEY SEKULA-GIBBS.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY

SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED, MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU, PRESIDENTS SHARPE.

[15. Receive, consider and act upon an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council;]

TO RECEIVE AND ACT UPON AN APPOINTMENT TO THE PARKS AND

RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[01:45:01]

IT HAS BEEN USED VERY SUCCESSFULLY TO BRING VARIOUS INITIATIVES FORTH TO THE BOARD. AND SO ONE OF THE SEATS ON THE ADVISORY COUNCIL IS A DIRECTOR, AND SO THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR, JASON NELSON WAS NO LONGER ON THE COUNCIL.

EXCUSE ME. ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THEREFORE, WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO BE FILL FOR THAT WHICH WOULD RUN THE CALENDAR YEAR THROUGH 202.

2023. >> THANK YOU, DR. NOONS.

I WOULD CALL FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPOINT DIRECTOR DR. SHELLEY SEKULA-GIBBS TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR A 12-MONTH TERM. ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023.

OR UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS ASSIGNED.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED.

[16. Receive, consider and act upon the appointment by election of Directors of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors as members of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau (dba Visit The Woodlands) in accordance with its Bylaws;]

TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON THE APPOINTMENT BY ELECTION OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS MEMBERS OF THE WOODLANDS CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU, DBA VISIT WOODLANDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS BYLAWS.

I WOULD REFER YOU TO PAGES 175-176.

IN YOUR BOARD PACKET. MS. DEMPSEY, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER WILL PRESENT.

>> THANK YOU. BECAUSE THE BYLAWS DO HEAVY MAKING THE APPOINTMENTS, THE CHAIR DOES RECOMMEND THREE APPOINTMENTS TO THIS POSITION, BUT WE DO HAVE A BALLOTING PROCESS TO ALLOW THE BOARD TO AFFIRM THOSE SELECTIONS OR ELECT A DIFFERENT MEMBER IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

THE CHAIR RECOMMENDS BRAD BAILEY, LINDA NELSON, AND RICHARD FRANKS TO SERVE ON THE BOARD.

I DO HAVE BALLOTS PREPARED. THE TOWNSHIP ALSO TRADITIONALLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOARD APPOINT NICK WALDA AS THE PRESIDENT. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS CVB BYLAWS OR THAT PROCESS, I WOULD DEFER TO NICK WALDA OR TO THE ATTORNEY FOR THAT. OTHER BYE, I WILL PROCEED WITH

PASSING OUT THE BALLOTS. >> LET ME TRY TO CLARIFY SOME

COMMENTS MADE EARLIER ABOUT... >> THAT WAS MY QUESTION.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS THERE? >> PERFECT.

THE WAY THESE CVB AS A SEPARATE ORGANIZATION IS SET UP BY ITS OWN INDEPENDENT BYLAWS IS THAT THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION WHICH ARE APPOINTED BY THIS BOARD.

THOSE MEMBERS HAVE TO BE DIRECTORS OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP. THINK OF THOSE MEMBERS AS SHAREHOLDERS. THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO KIND OF PUT IT. RIGHT? THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE YOU ARE GOING TO PUT IN PLACE.

TO THEN ELECT A BOARD OF THAT ORGANIZATION.

SO TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC THAT WERE MADE EARLIER RELATED TO A BOARD POSITION EMERITUS OR SOMETHING WITH REGARD TO THAT BOARD, THAT IS THE BUSINESS OF THE WOODLANDS CVB, NOT THE BUSINESS OF THIS BOARD.

NOR IS IT WITHIN THE AGENDA TOPIC THAT THERE IS TONIGHT.

SO THOSE THREE INDIVIDUALS WILL THEN HAVE AN ANNUAL MEETING WHICH IS OUTLINED BY THE BOARD. OUTLINED BY THE BYLAWS OF THE CVB. THEY WILL ELECT THEIR DIRECTORS.

HOPEFULLY, THAT IS HELPFUL. >> HAS THAT BEEN ALLOWED? THE DOOR TO STAY OPEN FOR THAT CONSIDERATION TO HAVE SUCH A

POSITION AS EMERITUS? >> ABSOLUTELY.

THE BYLAWS DO NOT PROHIBIT ANOTHER POSITION.

THE BYLAWS DO HAVE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS REGARDING... ONCE

AGAIN, THAT IS OUTSIDE... . >> THAT IS OPERATION... THAT IS THEIR OPERATION IN MEETING. NOT OURS.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT. SO THAT IS THE BUSINESS BEFORE

US. >> WITH THAT SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO PUBLICLY STATE THAT DIRECTOR RIESER MADE AN AMAZING IMPACT ON VISIT THE WOODLANDS, THE CVB. HIS LEADERSHIP AND HIS COMMITMENT TO THE CVB WAS SECOND TO NONE.

WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE. BUT THAT... AS FAR AS THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE BY THREE OR FOUR, CAN BE TAKEN UP BY THE

[01:50:03]

AND SO ONCE THESE DIRECTORS ARE ELECTED, AND THEY DO THE RING OR, THEN THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THEY CONSIDER.

>> ONCE AGAIN, THAT IS THE BUSINESS OF THE CVB.

TONIGHT WE ARE HERE TO ELECT MEMBERS.

>> SO WITH THAT, WE WILL TURN IT BACK TO MS. DEMPSEY.

THANK YOU, MR. WALDA. I GUESS.

THANK YOU. >> IF I MAY, CHAIRMAN SNYDER.

THE VCB BOARD, ACCORDING TO BYLAWS CAN HAVE BETWEEN 3-11 DIRECTORS. I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT.

THANKS. >> STARTING ON THIS SIDE.

THANK YOU. >> THE CHAIR'S RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN AFFIRMED THROUGH THE ELECTION PROCESS.

>> GOOD. I WILL ASK FOR A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE DIRECTOR BAILEY, DIRECTOR NELSON, AND DIRECTOR FRANKS AS CLASS A MEMBERS OF THE WOODLANDS CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU AND NICK WALDA AS PRESIDENT TO SERVE FROM JANUARY, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER, 2023.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED.

MOTION PASSES. >> I HAVE A QUESTION, MADAM CHAIRMAN. FOR BRETT.

OUR GENERAL COUNSEL. I DON'T THINK IN THE HISTORY, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, WE HAVE EVER HAD THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS COME IN TO THE CVB AT ONE TIME TO GET CAUGHT UP TO SPEED.

THERE HASN'T BEEN A LOT OF TURNOVER IN THAT BOARD.

RIGHT? >> YEAH.

I WILL LET NICK SPEAK TO THAT. MY RECOLLECTION IS I DON'T KNOW IF THE RECENT PAST THAT THAT HAS OCCURRED.

>> DIRECTOR BAILEY, YEAH. I DON'T RECALL THAT THERE HAS BEEN THREE CHAIRS SINCE 2006. THAT WAS THE FOUNDING YEAR, IN 2006. THREE CHAIRS.

I DON'T RECALL THREE NEW TOWNSHIP DIRECTORS COMING IN AS

MEMBERS TO THAT BOARD. >> WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF MOVING A MEETING UP TO GET BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR TO START SELECTING HOW MANY SEATS WE WILL HAVE ON THE CVB AND LEADERSHIP?

>> ONCE AGAIN, UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NOT AN AGENDA TOPIC.

I WOULD SAY AS A MEMBER, BECAUSE I THINK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BYLAWS AND TALKING ABOUT MENTION, WE CAN SAY THAT THE BYLAWS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDE FOR THE ABILITY, FOR THOSE MEMBERS TO REQUEST THE BOARD OF THE CVB TO SET A MEETING AT A DATE OTHER THAN THE SECOND WEEK OF JANUARY, THE TRADITIONAL TIME IN JANUARY.

WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS THAT IF THE THREE MEMBERS OR ANY MEMBERS SAY HEY, I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THAT ANNUAL MEETING SOONER RATHER THAN LATER IN DECEMBER, YOU SIMPLY ASK MYSELF OR MR. WALDA. WE WILL APPROVE THE PROCESS FOR THAT TO TAKE PLACE. WE CAN'T DO THAT NOW.

THAT WILL HAVE TO TAKE PLACE AS YOU ARE BEING A MEMBER IF OF THE

[17. Receive, consider and act upon the Township’s appointment to the Conroe-The Woodlands Urbanized Area (UZA) Transit Advisory Committee;]

>> THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 17.

TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON THE TOWNSHIP'S APPOINTMENT OF THE TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

WE WILL REFER TO DR. NOONS. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THERE EXISTS A VACANCY ON THE

[01:55:04]

THAT POSITION WAS HELD BY FORMER CHAIRMAN BUNCH.

THEY MEET AT LEAST ANNUALLY. THE LAST FEW YEARS, THEY HAVE MET TWICE A YEAR. THEY REVIEW TRANSPORTATION IN REGARDS TO OUR COLLECTIVE AREA BETWEEN CONROE AND THE WOODLANDS. THERE ARE FOUR REPRESENTATIVES THAT MAKE UP THE UZA. ONE IS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM SMALL CITIES. THE OTHER IS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY. AND WE ARE SEEKING AN APPOINTMENT FROM THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO THE UZA.

TO FULFILL THE OBLIGATION. >> THANK YOU, DR. NOONS.

I CALL FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPOINT DIRECTOR BOB MILNER TO THE CONROE OF THE WOODLANDS TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> MOVED AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY

SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES.

[18. Receive, consider and act upon an appointment by The Woodlands Township Board of Directors to serve as a Director on The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1 Board of Directors;]

TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER ACT UPON AN APPOINTMENT BY THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO SERVE AS A DIRECTOR ON THE WOODLANDS ROAD UTILITY DISTRICT. NUMBER ONE, BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

YOU CAN REFER TO PAGE 182 TO 185.

TODD STEPHENS. (LAUGHTER) I WOULD ASK MR. STEPHENS WHO IS OUR INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

DIRECTOR, TO PLEASE PRESENT. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN SNYDER.

DIRECTORS, GOOD EVENING. IN 2014, THE WOODLANDS ROAD UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER ONE EXPANDED ITS BOARD MEMBERSHIP TO INCLUDE TWO APPOINTED MENTION. ONE REPRESENTING MONTH GOTRY COMEY. ... MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

AND ONE FROM THE WOODLAND TOWNSHIP.

AT THAT TIME, WHEN THE WOODLANDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSIDERED THAT APPOINTMENT, THEY LOOKED AND EVALUATED HOUSE HOW TO BEST MEET THAT NEED. ONE OF THE DECISIONS WAS THAT BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE... THAT IT WOULD BE BEST THAT THAT POSITION BE SERVED BY A DIRECTOR OF THE BOARD ON THE RUDD.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME, DIRECTOR SNYDER, CHAIR SNYDER SERVES AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE. STEP DOWN FROM THAT POSITION AND HAVE ANOTHER DIRECTOR APPOINTED. SO IT WOULD BE UP TO THE DIRECTORS THIS EVENING TO DECIDE WHO WOULD SERVE ON THE TERM.

THAT CURRENT TERM EXPIRES IN MAIL OF 2023 OR UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD.

>> I THINK MAY, 2024, IT SAYS HERE.

>> ACTUALLY, THAT IS INCORRECT. THE CURRENT, THE CURRENT TERM IS THROUGH 2023 FOR OUR CURRENT APPOINTED TERM.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU.

I WOULD CALL FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPOINT DIRECTOR WATSON TO SERVE ON THE WOODLANDS ROAD UTILITY DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNTIL MAY OF 2023. IS THERE A MOTION AND SECOND?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING IEVMENT.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. AND WE WILL RECESS TO EXECUTIVE

[ CLOSED MEETING (if applicable)]

TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. DISCUSS I.T. NETWORK OR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, SECURITY PURSUANT TO 551.089.

TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE AND TO CONSULT WITH THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY PURSUANT TO 551.071 TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.

NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THE BOARD WILL RECONVENE IN PUBLIC SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> WE WILL NOW RECONVENE FROM

[20. Reconvene in public session;]

[21. Receive, consider and act upon a written request from local hotels for support of implementation of an assessment by local hotels within the boundaries of The Woodlands Township to be used in support of meetings, conventions and tourism in The Woodlands for funding supplemental sales and marketing initiatives;]

>> SO MOVED. SORRY.

>> SO AUTHORIZE TOWNSHIP STAFF AND LEGAL COUNSEL TO DRAFT DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING DRAFT LEGISLATION RELATIVE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ASSESSMENT ON LOCAL HOTELS, TO BE USED IN SUPPORT OF MEETINGS, TOURISM, AND CONVENTIONS IN THE

[02:00:01]

WOODLANDS. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE

RESPOND BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED? >> AYE.

[22. Consideration of items to be placed on the agenda for next month's meeting;]

>> MOTION PASSES. AND THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 22, CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MONTH'S MEETING. I DO HAVE ONE.

AGENDA ITEM. TO BE CONSIDERED AT OUR JANUARY 19 MEETING. STAFF IS CURRENTLY DRAFTING A CHARTER TO ESTABLISH AN AD HOC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THE CHARTER BE PLACED ON THE JANUARY 19 BOARD MEETING FOR CONSIDERATION.

IF THE BOARD APPROVES THIS ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMITTEE CAN BE MADE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS.

THEREFORE, I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO REQUEST THAT APPOINTMENTS TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE BE PLACED ON THE JANUARY 19

AGENDA. >> SO MOVED.

>> AND SECOND? >> IS THERE A MOTION? NO. WE DON'T NEED A MOTION.

>> WE DON'T NEED A MOTION. OKAY.

WELL, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT AN AGENDA ITEM I REQUESTED BEFORE.

MADAM CHAIRMAN. IT WAS ABOUT THE PONDS.

>> I'M SORRY? >> ABOUT THE PONDS.

I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE IT AT THIS MEETING OR SOMETIME IN DECEMBER, BUT I'M SURE YOU WILL TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> DR. NOONS IS CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE VARIOUS PARTIES, WITH THE WOODLANDS WATER AND WITH HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY AND ALL THE ENTITIES INVOLVED. OUR CONSULTANTS, ENGINEER.

WE WILL BRING THAT BACK AT THE JANUARY BOARD MEETING.

EMMY YES, MA'AM. >> OKAY.

I DIDN'T WANT IT TO FALL OFF THE RADAR.

>> THANK YOU, DR. GIBBS. REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER WHEN YOU BROUGHT THAT UP, I DID NOT HAVE IT WRITTEN DOWN.

IT WILL BE ON THE JANUARY AGENDA AS WELL AS THE TWO ITEMS. ANY OTHER ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA IN JANUARY?

[23. Board announcements; and]

IF NOT, BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS. >> I DON'T KNOW IF THIS FITS INTO ANNOUNCEMENTS OR NOT. I WILL SAY ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND I THINK THE OTHER NEW BOARD MEMBERS WILL AGREE, JUST A HUGE THANK YOU TO STAFF, EXISTING DIRECTORS, EVERYBODY.

THESE LAST TWO WEEKS HAVE BEEN KIND OF A WHIRLWIND FOR US.

TRYING TO COME INTO THE FOLD HERE.

Y'ALL HAVE MADE IT VERY, VERY EASY ON US.

AND A PLEASURE TO DEAL WITH. AND WE ARE STARTING TO GET UP TO SPEED. THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND ALL YOUR HELP AND EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING.

>> AMEN. >> YES.

WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A WONDERFUL, HAPPY HOLIDAY.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR. >> I'LL SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS. HAPPY NULL YEAR.

EVERYONE, STAY SAFE. >> YES.

>> IF NOT, THEN THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

DO WE NEED A MOTION? >> MOTION.

SECOND. (LAUGHTER).

>> MEETING ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.