[00:00:08]
>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING. BEFORE WE BEGIN THIS EVENING I WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS. OUR MOST VALUED ASSET AT THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP IS OF COURSE OUR STAFF.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE LOST ONE INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS WORKED FOR THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP FOR 20 YEARS.
DRIVER, PLATE -- OPERATOR RICHARD ALLISON WHO WAS IN HIS 20TH YEAR OF THE WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH. WE ARE DEEPLY SADDENED WITH THIS PASSING. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE AS A MARK OF OUR GRATITUDE AND RESPECT FOR HIS SERVICE AND HIS DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;]
>> THANK YOU. TONIGHT WE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME RECEIVE LEND MARK -- RECEIVE -- REVEREND SORENSEN.
HE RECEIVED HIS MASTER OF DIVINITY FROM ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND HAS BEEN IN MINISTRY FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS.
THAT'S A LONGTIME. >> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. HENCE THE WHITE HAIR.
>> HE AND HIS LOVELY WIFE, NICKY, HAVE TWO INCREDIBLE ADULT CHILDREN. SOON WILL HAVE A GRANDCHILD OF THEIR VERY OWN. THANK YOU, REVEREND SORENSON FOR
JOINING US. >> IT IS AN HONOR TO BE WITH YOU AND IT IS AN HONOR TO PRAY. JOIN ME AS WE PRAY TOGETHER.
GRACIOUS LORD, I THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY AND I THANK YOU TPO*R THE TRUTH IN YOUR -- THANK YOU FOR THE TRUTH IN YOUR WORD THAT REMINDS US EACH AND EVERY DAY. LORD, IT IS ON THIS DAY THAT I THANK YOU FOR BLESSING US WITH LEADERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELFARE OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE THANK YOU FOR THOSE GIFTED OF HEART FOR LEADERSHIP AND A VOICE TO SPEAK FOR THE VOICELESS AND TO THOSE ENTRUSTED IN THOSE ENTRUSTED WITH THE AGENDA ITEMS IMPACTING OUR NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITIES.
WE ASK, LORD, THAT YOU GUIDE US IN THIS TIME AND SHOW US YOUR PURPOSES. HOW DO YOU WANT US TO ACCOMPLISH OUR TASKS. DIRECT OUR THOUGHTS AND HELP OUR FEET STAY ON THE RIGHT TRACK SO WE PRAY THOU WILL BE DONE ON EARTH SHALL IT BE IN HEAVEN. AMEN.
>> THANK YOU, REVEREND SORENSEN. HONORED TO HAVE YOU WITH US THIS EVENING. PLEASE STAND AS WE HONOR OUR
GREAT COUNTRY AND GREAT STATE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STKAPBDZ -- STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE,
TEXAS, ONE AN INDIVISIBLE. >> CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AT
[2. Call meeting to order;]
6:03 P.M. I 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 POUPB -- BOUNDARY 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. I ASK EACH BOARD MEMBER TO INDICATE THEIR PRESENCE BY RESPONDING WITH SOME AUDIBLE[00:05:02]
SOUND OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT AS I CALL ROLL.>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS. >> HERE.
>> DIRECTOR SNYDER, HERE. BY THE ROLL CALL IT IS DETERMINED THAT IT IS A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF MEMBERS PRESENT TO DECLARE THAT BE HAVE -- THAT WE HAVE A QUORUM.
[3. Receive, consider and act upon adoption of the meeting agenda;]
THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE ADOPTION OF THE MEETING AGENDA.THIS IS PAGE ON PAGE 1 THROUGH THREE.
IS THERE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA?
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR FRANK AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR MILNER. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RESPOND BY
>> ALL OPPOSED RESPOND WITH THE SAME? MOTION PASSES. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC OFFICIALS WITH US THIS EVENING. THEY ARE ALWAYS, ALWAYS WELCOME.
[5. Public comment;]
NEXT ON THE AGENDA, AGENDA ITEM 5 IS PUBLIC COMMENT.PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN OPEN MEETINGS OF THIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS ALWAYS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED.
A PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA ITEM IS INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH AND EVERY REGULAR BOARD MEETING AGENDA IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR BOARD-ADOPTED POLICY TO PRODUCE THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE PROCESS FOR ALLOWING CONSTITUENTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACCEPTS PUBLIC COMMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING GUIDANCE -- GUIDE -- GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATING IN PUBLIC MEETINGS. FIRST, EACH PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD MUST SIGN THE SPEAKER 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 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING. INDIVIDUALS WILL BE LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF THREE MINUTES REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF TOPICS. STPAOEBGERS -- SPEAKERS WILL BE TAKEN IN THE ORDER THEY SIGN UP. ANY SPEAKER ON A SINGLE SUBJECT MAY YIELD HIS OR HER 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 AND WHETHER OR NOT THE ITEM SHOULD BE PLACED ON A FUTURE BOARD AGENDA.
SPEAKERS MAY EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS OR VIEW POINTS ON AN ISSUE, BUT ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEBATE OF AN ISSUE. SPEAKERS WILL NOT USE PROFANITY.
COMMENTS FROM SPEAKERS CAN BE MADE TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE OR TO INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS. ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO PLEASE REMIND YOU TO PLACE YOUR CELL PHONES ON THE SILENT MODE.
FIRST, MR. MAGART. >> MY NAME IS KENT NAGART.
-- MAGART. THIS IS MY THIRD TRIP TO TALK ABOUT THE POND MAINTENANCE. I KNOW A LOT OF YOU ARE NEW, BUT ANYWAY THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR 9 MONTHS THAT HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED. IT CONCERNED ME WHEN THE BOARD WAS DOING ANOTHER STUDY. BASICALLY THE ISSUE IS WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO SUPPLEMENT THE LOW WATER LEVELS ART OFFICIALLY -- ARTIFICIALLY OR NOT.
WE DON'T NEED A STUDY. WE NEED TO DECIDE WHETHER WE WILL SUPPLEMENT IT. IF YOU DECIDE TO SUPPLEMENT IT, THERE ARE SEVERAL ALTERNATIVES. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW ME I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT FOR 46 YEARS.
WHEN I CAME HERE THERE WERE ONE POND, LAKE HARRISON AT THE WHARF AND NOW THERE ARE 68. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT MOST OF THOSE WERE DONE FOR AESTHETIC REASONS.
THEY WEREN'T BUILT TO MAINTAIN WILDLIFE, AND OF COURSE THEY PROVIDE A LOT OF WILDLIFE HABITAT.
IF YOU KEEP THE POND FULL THE WILDLIFE ARE TAKEN CARE OF, RIGHT? ANYWAY, I DON'T WANNA GET INVOLVED IN THE PRESENTATIONS I HAVE LISTENED TO, BUT I WOULD
[00:10:06]
REQUEST -- I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THERE IS LARRY TAYLOR AND I THAT HAVE BEEN UP HERE SEVERAL TIMES, THAT HE AND I GET TOGETHER WITH A COUPLE BOARD MEMBERS AND THE STAFF AND SIT DOWN INSTEAD OF COMING UP HERE LIKE WE HAVE DONE FOR THE LAST 9 MONTHS AND DISCUSS THIS POND ISSUE AND REQUEST THAT MAYBE A COUPLE OF YOU, WE CAN SIT DOWN AND HASH THIS OUT AND SEE IF WE CAN'T COME UP WITH A SOLUTION WITHOUT HIRING ANOTHER CONSULTANT. IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.BASICALLY ARE WE GONNA SUPPLEMENT THE PONDS OR NOT? ONE WILD CARD IN THIS IS THAT YOU SPEND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON DRINKABLE POTABLE WATER ON ALL OF YOUR PARKS AND STREETS AND THAT IS FINE. AESTHETICALLY I LIKE IT.
I GOT NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. FOR SOME REASON NOBODY WANTS TO SUPPLEMENT THESE PONDS. OF COURSE, I LIVE ON THE POND AND WE HAVE -- THE POND WAS SPECIFICALLY BUILT BY WOODLANDS TK-FPL -- DEVELOPMENT TO ENHANCE THE VALUE OF THEIR LAND.
ANYWAY, THAT'S WHY I AM HERE TONIGHT.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN BRING THIS TO A HEAD AND RESOLVE IT.
WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER CONSULT AT THE PRESENT TIME.
WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER CONSULTANT.
AND TO GIVE YOU A TEASER, DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY LAKEWOOD LANDS STAYS -- LAKE WOODLANDS STAYS FULL OF WATER? ANYBODY KNOW? WHEN WE GET TOGETHER TO HAVE THIS MEETING, WE WILL DISCUSS WHY LAKE WOODLANDS STAYS FULL OF WATER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAGART. NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK.
MR. TAYLOR, LARRY. >> GOOD EVENING.
THREE MINUTES WON'T DO ME JUSTICE, BUT WE WILL KEEP IT SHORT. MY NAME IS LARRY TAYLOR AND I LIVE ON WILD CREEK OF CREEK SIDE PARK.
JUST LIKE MY PREDECESSOR, KENT KENT MAGART, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE POND ISSUE FOR 9 MONTHS.
I PRESENTED NUMEROUS PICTURES, TIME, ELEMENTS, DECIDING AND LOOKING AT THE DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF OUR PONDS.
I AM JUST RESTATING THE FACT THAT WE WISH TO WORK WITH THE BOARD, THE TOWNSHIP, TO NOT JUST KEEP DOING STUDIES, BUT TO RESOLVE AND GET OUR PONDS UP. MOTHER NATURE DID A GREAT SERVICE IN JANUARY. THAT'S NOT GOING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY UNTIL ANOTHER DROUGHT HITS. WE SURELY DON'T NEED TO WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER TIME. JUST LIKE LAST YEAR, WE BROUGHT IT UP IN APRIL -- ACTUALLY IN MAY.
NOTHING GOT DONE UNTIL OCTOBER. I'M NOT CRITICIZING THE TOWNSHIP. I'M SURE THERE ARE CONSTRAINTS AND VARIOUS COSTS AND WHAT WHATNOT.
WHEN YOU SEE OUR PONDS GOING DOWN FOUR FEET, IT HURTS.
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SEE THE OTHER PONDS, BECAUSE OF THE RAIN AND THE WAY THE WATER IS CONDUCTED INTO THE PONDS, THEY WERE FULL LAST YEAR. I DID ONE OF MY OWN STUDIES.
54 OF THE PONDS AND LAKES ARE FULL.
[INAUDIBLE] SOME HAVE WELL WATER AND SOME DON'T HAVE RUNOFF WHATSOEVER. LET'S KEEP THE STUDIES DOWN TO CERTAIN ISSUES AND NOT MAKE A BIG BROAD SPECTACLE OF IT.
SOLVE OUR POND PROBLEMS. YOU WILL SEE ME THIS YEAR.
I PRAPB TO TALK IN MARCH -- I PLAN TO TALK IN MARCH, APRIL, WHENEVER THE BOARD WILL LET US. LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN AS WELL AS SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORS THAT WILL BE IN FULL FORCE IN MARCH. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. TAYLOR. CAMILIA WRIGHT.
MS. WRIGHT? NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
HI, EVERYONE. CONGRATULATIONS IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE BOARD. SO I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR ABOUT FOUR, ALMOST FIVE YEARS.
SO I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE.
THE ISSUE AND -- THE ISSUE IS I LIVE IN CREEK SIDE, NEXT TO WENTWOOD PARK. MY HOUSE IS IN THE BACKYARD OF WENTWWOD PARK. I SAY THAT BECAUSE MY HOUSE WAS THEREAFTER THE PARK WAS THERE. I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE NOISE, PARTICULARLY THE BASKETBALL COURT.
LAST TIME I WAS HERE I PLAYED A VIDEO FOR YOU GUYS WHERE YOU COULD HEAR THE NOISE OF THE BASKETBALLS AND THE PEOPLE AT THE PARK. THAT WAS PROBABLY ALARMING TO
[00:15:03]
KNOW THAT EVERY TIME YOU WAKE UP AND GO TO BED YOU HEAR BASKETBALLS OR SOME YOUNG KID OUT CUSSING ALL DAY LONG.WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS, AND THE RESPONSE I GOT WAS I HATE TO BE THE ONE -- THIS IS FROM OUR PARKS RESPONSE AND THIS IS WHAT WAS SAID. I HATE TO BE THE ONE THAT CAN'T DELIVER WHAT YOU WANT OR SEEKING.
THERE IS NO SOLUTIONS TO UH HEAVE -- TO ALLEVIATE THE SOUND FROM BALLS BOUNCING. WE WILL FILL IT WITH BACKBOARD HAD SUFFICIENTLY. IT GOES ON TO SAY THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE TO HELP WITH THAT NOISE.
BUT THE OVERALL IS THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO.
I AM FORCED TO SELL MY HOME BECAUSE WE ALL WORK.
I'M NOW ON THE BOARD OF OUR COMMUNITY, OUR HOA COMMUNITY.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE ARE RENTERS. I TOLD YOU BEFORE THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO COME BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARED THEIR LANDLORD MAY SAY SOMETHING TO THEM. I OWN.
ONE OF MY OTHER NEIGHBORS, SHE OWNS TOO.
WE ARE NOW ON THE BOARD AND TRYING TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET THOSE INDIVIDUALS HERE IN THIS MEETING SO YOU CAN HEAR THEIR CONCERNS TOO. I DON'T KNOW HOW SUCCESSFUL I'M GOING TO BE. WE'LL SEE.
I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I DO THINK IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS NOISE FROM THIS BASKETBALL COURT, THE CUSSING AND THE BASKETBALL ALL DAY. I JUST PRAY THAT NO OTHER COMMUNITY EVER HAS TO DEAL WITH THIS.
I HOPE THE NEW COMMUNITY THAT'S COME TO THE WOODLANDS ARE NOT RIGHT NEXT TO A BASKETBALL COURT.
AND IT IS COMMON THAT THE MALLS, THE RESTAURANTS, SO MUCH ACTIVITY IN THE WOODLANDS SHUTS DOWN AROUND 9:00, BUT OUR PARKS ARE OPEN UNTIL 11:00 WITH THE LIGHTS ON.
I DON'T GET IT. WHY DO YOUNG KIDS NEED TO BE AT A PARK AT HREFPB:00 AT -- AT 11:00 AT NIGHT? THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY TO YOU TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOAH
THIS IS MY FIRST BOARD MEETING, BUT IT IS NOT MY FIRST TIME IN THE WOODLANDS. I GREW UP HERE.
I STARTED AT DAVID ELEMENTARY AND GRADUATED WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL IN 2001 AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO MOVE MY WIFE AND KIDS BACK HERE TO RAISE IN THE WOODLANDS AND COULDN'T BE HAPPIER ABOUT THAT. I LIVE IN CAP STONE.
I BELIEVE ON THE AGENDA TODAY IS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE CAP STONE PARK BATHROOM. I WANTED TO SHOW UP AND SAY THAT ME AND EVERY OTHER PARENT I TALKED TO THINKS IT IS A GREAT ADDITION TO OUR PARK AND CAN'T WAIT FOR IT.
IF YOU HAVE LITTLE KIDS YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T GO 15 MINUTES WITHOUT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GO TO THE RESTROOM.
YOU CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE TIME TO WALK HOME BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. OLDER KIDS NEED IT TO -- TOO AND SO DO PARENTS. ON THE WEEKENDS WE ARE THERE FOR HOURS AT A TIME. THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS DRAG THE KIDS HOME TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS.
JUST WANTED TO BE A VOICE THAT SAYS PARENTS LOVE IT AND WE'RE ALL FOR IT. GLAD YOU ARE MAKING OUR PARK A BETTER PLACE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. SLOAN. DAVID DOLPHIN.
NEXT ON THE PUBLIC COMMENT IS JASON ROCHE.
GOOD TO SEE SOME OF YOU AND NOW TWICE IN A WEEK.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE WOODLANDS PRIDE.
I WILL READ YOU OUR MISSION STATEMENT.
IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE I HAVE BEEN UP HERE.
OUR MISSION IS TO CONNECT, CELEBRATE AND FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS IN THE LG -- LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY AND CREATE LOVE IN WOODLANDS AND BEYOND. THIS YEAR YOU ARE GETTING A BREAKING NEWS. OUR ANNUAL FESTIVAL WILL BEHELD ON OCTOBER 21ST AT TOWN GREEN PARK.
I INVITE YOU ALONG WITH ANY OF YOU OUT TO OUR FESTIVAL.
LAST YEAR WE WELCOMED 7500 PEOPLE TO OUR FOURTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL. AS WEN -- AS WE ENTER OUR FIFTH YEAR WE LOOK FORWARD TO GROWING OUR PARTNERSHIPS AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS BEYOND OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS TO NAME A FEW. THE MCDONALD'S HOUSTON CORPORATION CP KIM, MD ANDERSON AND THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION, OXY, YOUNG LEARNER'S ACADEMY, METHODIST, WOODLANDS, SPRINGS MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, COMCAST AND MORE.
I WELCOME YOU TO JOIN OUR SPONSORS WHO NOT ONLY WORK HERE,
[00:20:03]
BUT LIVE HERE. THIS IS MORE THAN A FUN FESTIVAL THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO, OF COURSE, WE HAVE A RIGHT TO REJECT WHATEVER WE WANT. FREEDOM OF SPEECH.IMAGINE IF YOU WERE REJECTED FROM YOUR HOMES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES. WHAT IF YOU SHOW UP TO A FESTIVAL WHERE YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE THERE TO REPRESENT EVERYBODY ARE THERE TO SUPPORT YOU.
HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE? THAT'S THE ONE PERSON YOU CAN SEE WHO SUPPORTS YOU. I CAN ATTEST TO THAT.
IT WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU.
I WELCOME YOU TO THAT ON OCTOBE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JASON. AND THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC
[6. President / CEO's Report;]
COMMENT AND THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 6.OUR PRESENT CEO WILL PRESENT. >> THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO WHICH IS TO RECOGNIZE OUR STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS. THE FIRST ONE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT IS THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AWARD.
WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP EARNED SECOND PLACE IN CATEGORY NUMBER 2 FOR POPULATION 100,000 TO 300,000 FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TOWN WATCH FOR OUR 2022 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT CAMPAIGN.
SINCE 1991 THE TOWNSHIP AND THE PREDECESSORS HAVE CONSISTENTLY RANKED IN THE TOP 10 INCLUDING 9-TIMES RANKING AS NUMBER ONE.
THIS AWARD IS THE RESULT OF HARD WORK BY THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH OUR RESIDENT VOLUNTEERS WHO HOST NATIONAL NIGHT OUT PARTIES AND OF COURSE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERS. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.
[APPLAUSE]. >> I THINK IT IS ALWAYS IPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL IN THE AUDIENCE. WE WOULD LOVE TO TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOU. YOU CAN'T ROLL YOUR EYES.
PLEASE COME UP AND JOIN US FOR A PHOTO SO WE CAN PERSONALLY
APPLAUD AND THANK YOU. >> TPR-PB -- [APPLAUSE].
>> AND I THINK THERE IS ANOTHER --
THIS IS FOR THE TEXAS RECREATION AND PARK SOCIETY STAR PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR. WE HAVE THREE OF THEM ON STAFF I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE. AMBER, TYLER LITTLE AND PAMELA WOODS WERE RECOGNIZED AT THE TEXAS RECREATION AND PARK SOCIETY EAST REGION WORKSHOP THAT WAS HELD ON JANUARY 10TH OF THIS YEAR AS STAR PERFORMERS SERVING AS COMMITTEE CHAIRS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS FOR THE REGION.
FIRST AMBER. AMBER BARNES WAS THE SOCIAL CHAIR FROM 2 SWR-RB -- 2018 TO 2022 ORGANIZING NETWORKING ACTIVITIES FOR THE REGION. SHE WAS ALSO ON THE SCHOLARSHIP REVIEW TASK FORCE. NEXT PAMELA WOODS SERVED AS THE AWARD CHAIR FROM 2020 TO 2022 AND TYLER TOOK ON THE AWARD OF THE CHAIR IN 2022 AND WILL SERVE THROUGH 2023.
I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY CONGRATULATIONS AND THE TOWNSHIP'S CONGRATULATIONS TO AMBER, PAMELA AND TYLER.
>> IF EACH OF YOU WOULD COME FORWARD SO WE CAN TAKE A PHOTO.
WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE AN AMAZING STAFF WHO DO SO MUCH.
[00:25:36]
>> THANK YOU. THAT BRINGS US TO OUR NEXT
[7. Receive, consider and act upon proclamations; ]
AGENDA ITEM. IT IS NUMBER 7, A PROCLAMATION AND WE WILL -- TONIGHT WE ARE HONORING THE JOHN COOPER SCHOOL, IS THAEUFR -- THEIR FOOTBALL TEAM AFTER WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR, I BELIEVE, THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.HELP ME WELCOME COACH ERIC AND SEVERAL OTHERS.
IF YOU WILL COME FORWARD. [APPLAUSE].
DIRECTOR FRANKS IS GOING TO READ A PROCLAMATION.
IT IS RECOGNIZING THE JOHN COOPER FOOTBALL TEAM FOR YOUR RECENT CHAMPIONSHIP WIN. AND THEN I THINK COACH AFTER A PHOTO, IF YOU WILL SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> WHEREAS THE JOHN COOPER SCHOOL DRAGONS CAPTURED A 3AAA SOUTHWEST PREPARATORY CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE 1922 STATE OF TEXAS FALL SPORTS COMPETITION AND WHEREAS THE DRAGON FOOTBALL TEAMWORKED TIRELESSLY TO TRAIN, REPAIR AND DEFEAT THEIR COMPETITORS CREATING A NEW RECORD FOR THE SCHOOL'S HISTORY IN THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS TO WIN ITS SECOND FOOTBALL SPECIAL 3A CHAMPIONSHIP IN A ROW. AND WHEREAS THE DRAGONS ACHIEVED THIS MILESTONE BY DEFEATING TRINITY VALUE BY A SCORE OF 63- 31 AT SHELDON ISD IN HOUSTON. AND WHEREAS THE END OF THE SEASON TO FINISH WITH THE RECORD OF 9-1 AND REPEAT A -- AS STATE CHAMPIONS WITH BACK TO BACK TITLES.
AND NOW THEREFORE ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP WE HERE BY PROCLAIM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH, 2023 AS THE JOHN COOPER WOODLANDS FOOTBALL DAY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE].
>> IT IS A NIGHT OF PHOTOS. >> BROUGHT TO YOU BY OLAN MILLS.
>> WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS PROBLEM CLAW -- PROCLAMATION.
WE WANT TO CONTINUE THIS NEXT YEAR.
>> WE ARE EXPECTING THAT. >> I LIVE TWO BLOCKS FROM JOHN COOPER SCHOOL. EVERY DAY I COUNT MY BLESSINGS.
I LIVE IN A GREAT PLACE LIKE THE WOODLANDS.
I ALSO COUNT MY BLESSINGS AND MY WIFE DOES AS WELL THAT WE WORK AT SUCH A GREAT ACADEMIC INSTITUTION LIKE THE JOHN COOPER SCHOOL. THIS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT TREMENDOUS LEADERSHIP LIKE THIS BOARD, THE JOHN COOPER BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL AND OUR CONSTANT PILLAR OF SUPPORT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MR. HOY.
YOU CANNOT WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH -- WITHOUT SACRIFICE AND WE
[00:30:04]
BELIEVE LOVE SQUALLS SACRIFICE. THE SACRIFICES, LIKE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR, OUR DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, ALEX PANE -- PAYNE, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY OUR PLAYERS. MY JOB IS TO REPLICATE WHAT OUR SCHOOL DOES EVERY DAY WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE SUCCESS.THANK YOU AGAIN AND GO DRAGONS. [APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU, COACH. AND AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS FROM
[ CONSENT AGENDA]
ALL OF US. NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS 8 IS TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE CONSENT AGENDA.THE CONSENT EYE GENERAL -- AGENDA ITEMS ARE HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS AND REQUIRED BY LAW AND CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL AS A GROUP WITH ONE MOTION. NO DISCUSSION WILL TAKE PLACE ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS UNLESS THE ITEM IS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PLACED ON THE REGULAR AGENDA MEMBER BY ANY BOARD MEMBER. THERE ARE FOUR FOUR ITEMS ON THE
CONSENT AGENDA. >> MADAM CHAIR, MAY I PLEASE ASK YOU TO REMOVE AND MOVE ITEM D, ITEM 8D OUT OF THE CONSENT
AGENDA TO THE REGULAR AGENDA? >> ABSOLUTELY.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT? >> I WILL SECOND IT.
>> THANK YOU. >> SO THERE ARE NOW THREE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE A,
>> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN SO MOVED BY DIRECTOR FRANK AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR MILNER TO APPROVE ITEMS A, B, AND C. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY
[d. Receive, consider and act upon a budget amendment for a communications initiative related to podcasts and videography;]
THAT BRINGS US TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.THE THE FIRST ITEM THAT WE WILL DISCUSS IS AGENDA ITEM D.
WITH VIDEO BEING AN IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION TOOL, THIS AGENDA ITEM FOCUSES ON ENHANCING TOWNSHIPS COMMUNICATIONS TO OUR CONSTITUENTS THROUGH THE USE OF PODCASTS AND VIDEOS.
VIDEO AND PODCASTS HAVE BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF REACHING PEOPLE AND THIS INITIATIVE WILL ENHANCE OUR COMMUNICATION EFFORTS. THE AGENDA ITEM READS, "TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR A COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE RELATED TO PODCASTS AND VIDEOING TKPWRAU FEE." AND VIDEOGRAPHY." NICK, IF YOU WOULD COME AND PRESENT.
PLEASE. >> SO THIS IS AN ITEM THAT WAS PLACED ON THE AGENDA AT THE REQUEST OF THE BOARD.
AND AN ITEM FROM A COMMUNICATIONS PERSPECTIVE.
IT IS IN YOUR PACKETS AND I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL OF THE PROCESSES AND STATS IN THERE. WE HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY, BUT YOU CAN NEVER COMMUNICATE ENOUGH.
THAT IS OUR FEELING AS A STAFF AND A TOWNSHIP BOARD AS WELL.
WE ARE NOT SPENDING A BUNCH OF TIME ON VIDEOS.
SO THE VIDEO WE FEEL LIKE IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO THE OVERALL COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND WE DO SOME SMALL VIDEOS, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT OUR VIDEO PAGE ON THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP WEBSITE WE HAVE LIKE FOUR VIDEOS THERE. WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT MORE STORY TO TELL, WE BELIEVE AS WELL AS THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM HERE AND WITH OUR EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM AND WITH THE BOARD [INAUDIBLE]. WE ARE IN EVERY HOME ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH WITH THE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE.
SURVEYS SHOW THAT IS THE HIGHEST READ PUBLICATION OF ANY PUBLICATION THAT PEOPLE RECEIVED.
OUR SOCIAL MEDIA STATS ARE I THINK VERY STRONG AND HEALTHY.
IT IS STATIC. THAT'S WHAT THIS AGENDA ITEM IS CALLING FOR. WE RELY ON BOARD DIRECTION FORTH AND WE NEED MORE DIRECTION ON HOW YOU WANT US TO GO FORWARD. WE ARE HERE TO OFFER ADVICE, TIPS, GUIDANCE. YOU CAN SEE VIDEO WE ARE
[00:35:01]
SHOOTING HERE TODAY AND SERVING CONSTITUENTS OF THE WOODLANDS.I AM HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> AND WHAT YOU ARE FILMING TONIGHT IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE DURING MY SEVEN YEARS, ALMOST EIGHT YEARS ON THIS BOARD.
DIRECTOR GIBBS, I KNOW YOU PULLED THE ITEM.
WE'LL GO TO YOU. >> SOME OF THESE WERE BROUGHT BY CONSTITUENTS. I AM REFLECTING ON SOME OF THE QUESTIONS YOU ASKED ME. IT -- THIS IS AN ITEM THAT SOUNDS LOGICAL. WE NEED MORE COMMUNICATION ALWAYS. IT WAS A COMMON THEME DURING THE INCORPORATION ELECTION. I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THIS IT IS NOT ENOUGH. I MEAN, I HAVE HEARD THAT OVER AND OVER THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT WHAT THE BOARD DOES AND WHY THEY DO IT. THAT'S NOT THE QUESTION.
THE QUESTION IS REALLY WE HAVE DONE VIDEOS BEFORE, BUT WE HAVEN'T DONE PODCASTS. I LOOKED AT A WEBSITE AND WE CAN DO IT FOR $15 AN EPISODE OR $1500 AN EPISODE.
I THOUGHT, THAT'S A WIDE RANGE. I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD BE DONE IN HOUSE. IT IS SILVER LAKE OR SILVER ROCK AND THEY DID PODCASTS. IT WAS MENTIONED THEY DO OUR VIDEOS OR SOME OF OUR VIDEOS. I WONDERED HOW DID WE COME UP WITH A BUDGET GOING FROM 10,000 TO 50,000? HOW DO WE KNOW THAT'S THE RIGHT NUMBER? DID WE HAVE AN RFP? IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY, I WAS INTERESTED WHERE THE NUMBERS CAME FROM AND WHETHER THAT IS ENOUGH FOR US TO DO THE EXCELLENT JOB THAT WE WOULD LIKE ALWAYS TO DO AND WHO THE TALENT IS GOING TO BE INSIDE THE PODCAST. I DON'T WATCH PODCASTS A LOT, BUT WHEN I DO I REALIZE YOU GO BAK TO THE PODCAST THAT YOU LIKE BECAUSE YOU LIKE THE PERSON TALKING TO YOU.
YOU LIKE THEIR FACE AND YOU LIKE THE WAY THEY TALK AND THEY COMMUNICATE. I THOUGHT, IS THAT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE IN ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A TALENT PERSON WHO WILL DO THE COMMUNICATION? IS THAT THE NEW COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR WHEN THEY COME? I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT IT. PODCASTS ARE INTRIGUING TO ME.
I AM OLD SCHOOL IN LEARNING ABOUT THIS.
I THOUGHT MAYBE SOME OF THE RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
WHERE WE ARE HEADED. >> THAT'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
[INAUDIBLE] THOSE ARE VERY GOOD QUESTIONS AS WELL, BUT REALLY DR. SEBG COULD YOU LAW -- DR. SEBG COULD YOU LAW GIBB, THIS CAME UP IN A PLANNING SESSION WE HELD A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND I THINK IT WILL COME UP IN A STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION TO TALK MORE IN DEPTH ABOUT THIS AS WELL.
I THINK WHAT STAFF LISTENED TO IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION IS PODCASTS. PODCASTS CAN BE BOTH AUDIO AND VIDEO. THEY AGO -- THEY CAN BE PRODUCED INTERNATIONALLY AND EXTERNAL -- INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY.
WE FEEL LIKE THAT AS YOUR STAFF MEMBERS WE NEED TO PRODUCE THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF PRODUCT TO BE THE BEST RECEIVED.
THIS IS SOMETHING NEW IN PODCASTS.
THERE IS NOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE ON THE PODCAST.
THERE IS IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND GRAPHIC DESIGN.
WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST GRAPHIC DESIGNERS ANYWHERE.
THERE IS WEB MAINTENANCE AND WEB PUBLICATION IN THE PAGES IN WHAT IS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE. PODCAST AND VIDEO IS SOMETHING NEW TO US. WE HAVE BUDGE -- BUDGETED A SMALL AMOUNT ON THE VIDEOS. WE DO HAVE A VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY. LAST YEAR WE ISSUED OUT -- I CAN'T REMEMBER. IT WAS A REQUEST FOR QUOTE FOR VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES WHERE OTHER LOCAL COMPANIES SUBMITTED.
WE DID CHOOSE AT THAT TIME A LOCAL PRODUCTION COMPANY CALLED SILVER ROCK PRODUCTION. YOU CAN LOOK AT VARIOUS PROJECTS AND SAY HERE IS WHAT WE WANT TO PUT INTO THIS PROJECT ON THE VIDEO. THIS IS WHAT THEY BUDGET FOR.
TRADITIONALLY YOU LOOK AND YOU THINK ABOUT THE VIDEO PRODUCTION AND THE FINAL PRODUCT IS AROUND A THOUSAND DOLLARS A MINUTE OF PER DEUCED PIECE THAT -- OF PRODUCED PIECE THAT GOES INTO IT. SOMETIMES IT IS 10, 20 HOURS
[00:40:02]
THAT GIVES A FINISHED ONE-MINUTE PIECE.IT DEPENDS ON HOW FULL AND EXTENSIVE YOU DO GET.
I DO SEE HAVE I KWROES -- VIDEOS WHERE WE WANT TO FLY DRONES AND GET AERIAL FOOTAGE. I THINK IF YOU SAW THE VIDEO WE PRODUCED RECENTLY -- DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THE
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. >> WE DIDVILLE -- WE DID SILVER ROCK UNDER NICK BALDWIN AND WE DID AN INCREDIBLE VIDEO FOR THE EDP LUNCHEON. IT DID NOT HIGHLIGHT A PARTICULAR BOARD MEMBER. IT WAS ABOUT THE WOODLANDS.
IT WAS ABOUT THE WOODLANDS. IT HAS A PICTURE OF EACH OF US SEVEN. WE RECOGNIZE THE BOARD MEMBERS AS WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT STAFF AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS HAS ASKED FOR AND IS INTERESTED IN DOING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. AFTER OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING WE HAVE A STORY TO TELL. WE HAVE GREAT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING HERE. ANOTHER THING THAT CAME OUT OF STRATEGIC PLANNING IS WE WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT AND TALK ABOUT IT AND LET OUR RESIDENTS SEE WHAT WE ARE DOING.
HIGHEST QUALITY IS NUMBER ONE FOR THE TOWNSHIP IN EVERYTHING WE DO. IT IS NOT AN ISSUE AT ALL.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ONE THING.
I PUSHED A LOT OF THIS BECAUSE I AM A BIG BELIEVER IN TRANSPARENCY. I BELIEVE HAVING A HIDDEN VEIL AND NEGOTIATIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, WE'LL GIVE YOU JUST ENOUGH INFORMATION YOU NEED IS THE WRONG WAY TO GO.
I AM BIG BELIEVER IN HIGHLIGHTING WHAT WE ARE DOING.
I KNOW ONE OF YOUR HOT BUTTON ISSUES IS REFOR RES STATION -- REFORRESTATION. THE STAFF ORGANIZED A GREAT DEAL WHERE WE GOT TREES DONATED AND PLANTED THEM THROUGHOUT CREEK SIDE. STAFF WAS THERE.
THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM WAS THERE TO INTERVIEW THE ARBORISTS. HOW MANY KNOW THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP HAS AN ARBORIST ON ITS STAFF? ONE MORE REASON TO DO A PODCAST ON HOW WE INVEST IN AN ARBORIST IN THE WOODLANDS. IT IS TRANS -- IT IS TRANSPARENCY AND WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE STORY TO TELL.
MOST OF IT, OUR STAFF IS IMPLEMENTING THIS.
WE HAVE IRONMAN AND THE LPGA CHEVRON CLASSIC AND BOTH IN THE SAME WEEKEND. WHAT A GREAT IDEA TO EUPBLG -- WHAT A GREAT IDEA TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS GOING ON IN A BUSY WEEKEND IN APRIL.
TALKING TO SOME OF THE EVENT ORGANIZERS AND TALKING TO PUBLIC SAFETY EXPERTS AND TALKING TO STAFF.
THINGS LIKE THAT. THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE WE NEED TO DO MORE OF AND WE NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK WE NEED TO USE EVERY PLATFORM WE CAN AND GET FEEDBACK. HAVING A TWO-WAY DIALOGUE ON A PODCAST IS A GREAT WAY TO DO THAT.
I BELIEVE WE NEED TO DO MORE OF IT AND THIS MIGHT BE MORE OF A COUPLE BUDGET INITIATIVES. FINALLY, ONE THING ELSE, THIS IS THE FIRST, AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST AMENDMENT WE HAVE MADE TO THE BUDGET AND IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PREVIOUS BUDGET. THAT IS WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO SOMETHING WE CAN START PUTTING EFFORTS BEHIND.
>> AND THE AMENDMENT IS FOR HOW MUCH?
>> 50,000. >> AS THE FATHER OF THREE TEENAGERS AND THEN AROUND A LOT OF YOUNGER FOLKS YOU WILL NEVER GET A MESSAGE TO SOMEBODY IF YOU DON'T GET THEIR ATTENTION.
YOU WON'T GET THEIR ATTENTION IF THEY SEE SOMETHING THEY LIKE SPENDING TIME READING. PODCASTS CAN BE VIDEOED, BUT THEY ARE ATTRACTIVE BECAUSE THEY ARE A QUICK DOWNLOAD AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO THEM IN YOUR CAR OR ON A WALK AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THAT IS A NEW MEDIUM THAT IS EXTREMELY POPULAR.
IT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR QUITE AWHILE.
SURPRISED THERE IS NOT A NEW FORM IT IS LIKE A LOT OF THINGS.
WE HAVE AND SHOULD PROVIDE THAT AND I AM IN SUPPORT.
[00:45:07]
THEY ARE GOING TO SEE WHAT A GREAT SPOT THIS IS.SO WHEN YOU HAVE BUSINESSES OR INDIVIDUALS CONSIDERING PLACES, AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT PROMOTIONAL SALES TOOL FOR WHAT
WE REALLY HAVE HERE. >> I AGREE.
I THINK THE BRAND AWARENESS FACTOR FOR IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND CRITICAL TO THE MESSAGING BOTH FOR THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AND THEN I'M SURE YOU DO THIS WITH THE WOODLANDS.
I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT IT IS AS YOU LOOK AT THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE IN THE AGE OF OUR -- AND THE AGE OF OUR POPULATION IN WOODLANDS, THERE IS ALMOST A 50% SHARE OF THE WOODLANDS THAT REALLY FOCUSES ON VIDEO, TIK TOK, ALL OF THE QUICKEN GAUGE -- QUICK ENGAGEMENTS AS OPPOSED TO PEOPLE FROM MY GENERATION WHO SPEND MORE TIME READING.
IT IS A PART OF THE POPULATION THAT DOESN'T ENGAGE IN THE ADDITIONAL WAYS WE COMMUNICATE THE MESSAGE.
>> I'M SURPRISED WE DON'T DO MORE.
WHEN YOU BRING IN AN ORGANIZATION THAT'S WHAT THEY DO. I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THAT LEVEL THAT WE EXPECT IN THE WOODLANDS.
>> AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TEMPERATURES LIKE SILVER ROCK AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHERS. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED BY DIRECTOR BAILEY AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR NELSON. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
MOTION PASSES. >> THANK YOU, MR. WALLACE.
>> THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEA ITEM 9 TO CONSIDER AND ACT UPON
[9. Receive, consider and act upon a discussion regarding new park restrooms;]
A DISCUSSION ON NEW PARK RESTROOMS. DIRECTORS, GO TO PAGE 37 THROUGH 44.THE BOARD -- JUST FOR SOME HISTORY THE BOARD APPROVED FUNDING FOREST ROOMS AT CAP STONE AND SUNDANCE PARK IN MOVE OF 2022 PRIOR TO THE RECEIVING OF THE NEW BOARD.
DUE TO THE AMENITIES THEY ARE AREA PARKS THAT PROVIDE A SERVICE AREA FOR MULTIPLE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THIS PROJECT BOTH FOR AND AGAINST. HE IS OUR DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION. MR. MCGOWAN.
I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW PARK RESTROOMS. THE PRESENTATION, WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE 2022 PARKS AND RECREATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND THE PARK HIERARCHY AND THE AREA PARKS AS MENTIONED. FIRST TO KIND OF TALK ABOUT THE 2022 PARK AND RECREATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT.
THE GOAL IS IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING NEEDS IN THE PARK SYSTEM. KEEP IN MIND THIS WAS A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH AND WE HAVE AND WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER. 200 WEB SURVEYS WERE RECEIVED.
TWO BOARD PRESENTATIONS RESTROOMS AND TOWN WIDE VILLAGE AREA AND ADDITIONS THE EXPANSION OF THE SPORTS PEOPLEDS AND TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL AND SO ON. YOU CAN SEE THEY RANKED HIGHLY.
YOU CAN SEE THE QUOTE THERE AMONG THE SYSTEM-WIDE AMENITIES,
[00:50:04]
THEY HAVE INDICATED THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SATISFACTION WITH FACILITY BATHROOMS. AND WITH THAT OUT OF THE $19 MILLION FOR POTENTIAL PROJECTS, 5.8 OF THEM WERE FOR FOREST ROOMS. IT WAS THAT IMPORTANT -- FOR RESTROOMS AND IT WAS THAT IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THAT.WITH THE PARK HIERARCHY IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR THE BIGGEST IS A TOWN WIDE PARK. AND YOU HAVE THE VILLAGE PARKS THAT ARE BIGGER WITH SWIMMING POOLS AND SUCH.
SO WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE AREA PARKS AND YOU CAN SEE THE 15 AND IT TALKS ABOUT THE HALF MILE RADIUS.
IT SERVES MULTIPLE NEIGHBORHOODS ON A LOCAL OR COLLECTOR STREET.
LENGTH OF STAY IS ONE TO FOUR HOURS.
IT IT SAYS ONE SIGNATURE AND AMENITY THERE.
UNLESS THE AMENITY IS NOT PRESENT, BUT THAT INCLUDES ONE NONPROGRAM SPORTS FIELD AND PLAYGROUNDS AND ONE RESERVABLE SHELTER FOR PARKS AND THREE ACRES OR BIGGER, LOOP TRAILS, SPORT COURTS AND BENCHES AND SUCH.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF CAP STONE. THAT'S THE FIRST ONE.
YOU CAN SEE THE AMENITIES AND THE LIGHTED BASKETBALL COURTS AND PLAYGROUNDS AND PAVILION. THERE IS A FIELD THERE AND A PARKING LOT THERE. THE STAR KIND OF SHOWS WHERE OBVIOUSLY WE PUT A STOP ON IT. THAT'S WHERE THE ESTIMATED LOCATION OF THE RESTROOM WOULD GO TOWARD THE PARKING LOT.
REALLY BASICALLY THE EXACT SAME AND WE SEND OUT THE AFFECTED LETTERS AND YOU CAN SEE THERE CAP STONE IS 384 LETTERS WERE SENT OUT AND AT SUNDANCE WAS 394.
CAP STONE IS A LITTLE COMPLEX. THEY HAVE SEVERAL SUBSECTIONS IN THERE. CAP STONE FOREST AND CAP STONE WAY. YOU CAN SEE THERE 45 IS AN OPPOSITION WE GOT BACK AND SIX IN FAVOR.
SUNDANCE IS ZERO IN OPPOSITION AND TWO IN FAVOR.
AND WE REACHED OUT TO THEMONT -- THE MONTGOMERY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
WE PICKED OUT THE PARKS WITH BATHROOMS AND WITHOUT.
YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER OF CALLS AT CAP STONE AND SUNDANCE.
THIS WILL SHOW YOU STAFF INITIATED WORK ORDER 76 AND RESIDENTS 16 CAME IN AND THE PARK RANGERS ARE THERE DOING INSPECTIONS. I KNOW PREVIOUSLY IS AN EXAMPLE OF A WORK ORDER AND THE LIGHTS BEING OUT.
I WENT AND VERIFIED IT YESTERDAY.
AND THAT ONE IS MORE CONFUSING. SOME OF THE OLDER PARKS AND THEY GO INTO THE PARKING LOTS. SO WE ARE DEPENDENT ON THEM.
AND SO WE REACHED OUT TO ENTERGY AND ONE OF THE TWO POLES IS WORKING ON THE SECOND ONE. AND I DID VERIFY THAT ONE YESTERDAY. THAT PARKING LOT IS PRETTY LIT UP RIGHT NOW. THE PLAYGROUND REPAIR, AGAIN, UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE HAD SOME ISSUES ON REPLACEMENT PARTS.
THAT PLAYGROUND IS 15 YEARS OLD AND IT IS HARD TO FIND PARTS FOR THEM WITH IT. AND THEN THE PLAN IS TO HAVE THE PLAY -- THE PLAYGROUND COMPLETELY REPLACED.
THAT IS IN THE BUDGET NEXT YEAR FOR THAT.
ON SUNDANCE YOU CAN SEE THE STAFF INITIATED WORKFORCE AND RESIDENT 21 AND PARK RANGERS. IT IS JUST SHOWING YOU WE'RE THERE. WE'RE TRYING.
RESTROOM MAINTENANCE AND QUESTIONS THERE.
IT IS NOT OUR FIRST RESTROOM. WE HAVE 31 OF THEM IN THE PARK SYSTEM. IT IS OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR.
WE HAVE A RESTROOM CONTRACTOR WITH STAFF BACK UP.
IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES RESTROOMS ARE SERVICED.
WHEN THE LIGHTS TURN OFF AT 11:00 AT NIGHT AND THAT'S WHEN THEY COME AND THEY REOPEN IT THE NEXT MORNING.
NO ISSUES AFTER HOURS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND SUCH.
[00:55:05]
IS ITS -- IT IS 21 FEET BY 12 FEET.IT IS 70,000 FOR THE CLEARING AND BASE WORK AND ELECTRICAL AND WATER AND THAT. SO THE TOTAL IS 604,000 AND A LITTLE BIT -- THE PROJECT IS AWARDED TO THE PUBLIC RESTROOM COMPANY ON NOVEMBER 30TH. THE ORIGINAL BUDGET WAS JUST UNDER 1.7 MILLION. WITH THAT, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ALSO PUT OUT THERE THAT SOMETIMES WHEN THE PARKS ARE BEING DEVELOPED AS WITH MOST THINGS VALUE ENGINEERING CAN COME INTO PLAY. THE PERFECT EXAMPLE IS AVALON PARK, WHEN THAT PARK WAS CONVEYED TO US, IT HAD NO BATHROOM IN THERE. THAT WAS KIND OF VALUE EGINEERED. THE TOWNSHIP ACTUALLY FUNDED THAT AND PUT A BATHROOM IN THERE.
SPEAKING TO OLD, THE STAFF MEMBERS THAT WERE THERE, I MET WITH CAP STONE AND IT WAS INTENDED TO BE A BATHROOM THERE, BUT THAT WAS VALUE ENGINEERED OUT IN 94.
AGAIN, IF YOU LOOK AT THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT, THEY WERE OUT THERE TRYING, AGAIN, TO LOOK AT OUR DEFICIENCIES AND LOOK AT THE OTHER RESTROOMS, OUT OF THE 15 RESTROOMS AND 9 OF THEM HAVE -- SORRY. THE 15 AREA PARKS AND 9 OF THEM HAVE RESTROOMS. WHEN WE HAVE THE SIX THAT DO NOT, THAT'S WHEN WE PRIORITIZE. CAP STONE, ALDON BRIDGE AND SOME OTHERS WERE THERE FIRST. OUT OF THE SIX THERE AREN'T SOME LIT AND THAT WASN'T A PRIORITY. THOSE ARE THE SPORTS COURTS THAT ARE OUT THERE. IT WILL BE REALLOCATE THE 604,018 FOR THE PROJECTS AND IDENTIFIED IN THE 2022 PARK AND
RECREATION NEEDS ASSESSENT. >> CAN I INTERRUPT FOR A SECOND?
>> YES. >> YOU HAVE WRITTEN PROCEED WITH SUNDANCE, BUT DID YOU JUST SAY DO NOT PROCEED WITH EITHER?
>> HE HAS THREE OPTIONS. THE SECOND ONE IS PROCEED WITH
SUNDANCE. >> OH, YOU ARE JUST GOING
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> ARE YOU JUST GIVING US ALL OF
THE FIRST ONE, DO NOT PROCEED WITH EITHER ONE AND GO TO OTHER PROJECTS, PICKLEBALL COURTS AND EXPANSION AS SUCH.
THE SECOND OPTION, PROCEED WITH SUNDANCE PARK EDITION.
DO NOT PROCEED WITH CAP STONE. REALLOCATE THE FUNDING OF THE 302,900 EARMARKED FOR CAP STONE TO -- FOR THE OTHER PROJECTS.
NUMBER THREE, PROCEED WITH DEVELOPMENT OF SUNDANCE AND CAP STONE RESTROOM EDITIONS AND CONTINUE TO WORK WITH RESIDENTS REGARDING THEIR CONCERNS. AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST -- WHEN WE HAVE DONE THAT, MANY TIMES AT OTHER FACILITIES WE CAE REFOR RES -- REFORESTATION. AND WE LIKELY WORK WITH THE
RESIDENTS WITH THAT. >> THANK YOU.
DISCUSSION. >> I HAVE A -- ACTUALLY I HAVE A THANK YOU TO THE RESIDENTS OF CAP STONE WHO HAVE REALLY BECOME SO ACTIVE IN PROVIDING FEEDBACK TO US ON THIS ARENA.
AND IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE MET WITH THE SAME 45.
45 INDIVIDUALS HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH ME THAT -- AND OUT OF THOSE 45, ONLY THREE OF THE FAMILIES SAID THEY WANTED.
SO THERE ARE THREE OTHERS YOU TALKED TO.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE RESIDENTS DID NOT WANT THE
RESTROOM AT CAP STONE PARK. >> OF THE 45.
>> OF THE 45 I TALKED TO. >> I HAVE SEEN JOHN'S DATA.
HE HAD SIX THAT SUPPORTED AND 45 THAT OPPOSED.
SO SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT NUMBERS. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE RESIDENTS SAID THEY DIDN'T WANT THE BATHROOMS TO BE PUT IN THERE AND THEY WANTED TO HAVE THE ENHANCEMENTS THAT YOU OFFERED FOR NEXT YEAR. THEY DO WANT A NEW PLAYGROUND AND ALL OF THAT IS WONDERFUL. NOT TO SAY THEY ARE NOT GRATEFUL FOR THE FUNDING, BUT THEY JUST DON'T WANT THE RESTROOMS. AND YOU CITED IT. THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT CRIME AND VANDALISM. THE EXTRA TRAFFIC THAT WOULD COME IF YOU PROVIDED RESTROOMS AND THAT'S SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T MENTION, BUT THAT IS APPARENTLY THE PARKING LOT IS FULL A LOT OF THE TIME AND IT COMES WITH MORE LEAGUES AND TRAFFIC THAT WHOA BE STOPPING IN JUST TO USE THE RESTROOMS. EVEN PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A PARK NECESSARILY, BUT LOOKING FOR A RESTROOM. SO ALL OF THAT SAID, I THINK IT
[01:00:05]
BEHOOVES US TO LISTEN TO THE RESIDENTS.YOU ASKED FOR THEIR INPUT AND THEY GAVE IT TO US AND TO REFINE OUR NEEDS ASSESSMENT GOING FORWARD AND MAKE IT SO THAT WE GET A LITTLE MORE DIRECT FEEDBACK FROM EACH NEIGHBORHOOD.
WHETHER THEY WANT A PARK CHANGED.
IT IS ONE THING TO SAY OVERALL I WANT MORE RESTROOMS, BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THAT PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD WANTING THEM, THEY MIGHT FEEL DIFFERENTLY ABOUT IT. I THINK THE GRANULARITY OF THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT SHOULD BE INCREASED, AND THE LETTER YOU REFERRED TO, I THINK THAT LETTER IS CALLED THE RESIDENT AFFECTED LETTER. SOME RESIDENTS THOUGHT IT WAS A DONE DEAL. IT WASN'T A DONE DEAL.
I AM GLAD THAT THEY RESPONDED IN SPITE OF THAT KIND OF MISUNDERSTANDING, I'LL CALL IT. IF YOU CAN REFINE THAT LETTER GOING FORWARD, I THINK THAT WILL SAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A HEADACHE FOR YOUR STAFF AS WELL AS FOR THE RESIDENTS.
THANK YOU FOR DOING A GOOD JOB AT RESPONDING TO THE RESIDENTS.
I WILL JUST SAY THAT I WILL SUPPORT FUNDING THE SUNDANCE RESTROOM COMPLETION, BUT NOT GOING FORWARD WITH THE CAP STONE
RESTROOM. >> FIRST TO THE RESIDENTS -- YOU WON'T CLAP WHEN I AM FINISHED. KNOW THAT YOU ARE HEARD AND IT HAS BEEN WELL-REASONED AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF THOUGHT, AT LEAST FROM ME. I AM NOT ADVOCATING, BUT I AM TELLING YOU MY POSITION AND HOW I ARRIVED AT THAT.
DR. SEKULA-GIBBS, WE WEREN'T JUST ELECTED TO BE THE RESIDENTS OF THE CAP STONE, BUT THE RESIDENTS OF ALL OF THE WOODLANDS. THIS IS NOT JUST A PARK FOR CAP STONE. THIS IS A PARK FOR THE WHOLE WOODLANDS. FORTUNATELY HERE IN THE WOODLANDS WE HAVE A HIGH STANDARD OF AMENITIES TO MAINTAIN AND WE ARE DOING THAT. THAT'S WHY THE BOARD APPROVED $20 MILLION TO BE SPENT AND CARVED OUT $5.5 MILLION.
FROM MY STANDPOINT I HEARD EVERYONE SPEAK.
AND THEN I HEARD EVERYONE SPEAK THAT CAME TO THE PODIUM.
AND IT WAS CLEAR. IT WAS HEART FELT AND GENUINE.
WHAT I HEARD IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS IS THAT ALL OF THE CONCERNS, AND I WOULD CALL THEM FEARS, WERE, ONE, THEY WERE SAID TO ONLY EXIST. AND TWO, IT IS SPECULATIVE.
I HEARD IT WILL BRING PEOPLE IN FROM OUTSIDE OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THE COMMUNITY IS THE WOODLANDS. AND THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE WOODLANDS WHO LIKE TO GO TO DIFFERENT PARKS.
AS WE HEARD FROM THE GENTLEMAN TONIGHT, HE MIGHT NOT LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE PARK. OR HE MIGHT NOT WANT TO TRY TO SCURRY HIS KID BACK. AND WE ARE SERVING A BIGGER AREA THAN CAP STONE. AND I APPRECIATE THAT IT MAY HAVE A GREATER IMPACT TO THOSE FOLKS, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THE IMPACT IS REALLY GREAT AT ALL. IN MY OPINION, THE ONLY THING THAT BATHROOMS ATTRACT ARE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS FEAR OF ALL THESE OTHER THINGS, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT WE HAVE PARKS AT A LOT OF OTHER LOCATIONS.
THEY ARE LOCKED. THEY ARE REGULATED AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A DISASTER, IT COULD BE ADDRESSED. TO ME, THE BENEFIT TO THE RESIDENTS AND WOODLANDS AT LARGE IS BIGGER THAN THE SPECULATIVE FEAR OF THINGS I DON'T BELIEVE ARE COMING TO COME TO FRUITION.
FOR ME, I'M IN FAVOR OF IT. I CERTAINLY THINK IT CREATES PRESIDENTIAL ISSUES -- PRESENCE ISSUES WHEN WE HAVE THESE DECISIONS MADE BECAUSE I THINK IS A CAMPAIGN IN A NEIGHBORHOOD PUTTING PEER APPRECIATE OTHER THEIR NEIGHBORS TO COME AND SPEAK AND GET INVOLVED. I WOULD GUESS THAT THERE HAS BEEN PROBABLY A LOT OF THAT GO ON WITHIN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
I AM INDIFFER RENT -- INDIFFER RENT ON AN ISSUE, BUT I HAVE TO SEE MY NEIGHBOR. THEY MAY GET ME TO SPEAK OUT AND HAVE A VOICE WHERE I OTHERWISE MAY HAVE NOT.
I WILL TELL YOU WHERE I HAVE ARRIVED AT MY DECISION.
I WILL SUPPORT IS THAT BOTH BATHROOMS BEACON INSTRUCTED.
-- BE CONSTRUCTED. >> OTHER COMMENTS?
>> HOW MANY PARKS IN THE WOODLANDS ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC
>> IS CAP STONE CONSIDERED A PUBLIC PARK?
[01:05:08]
WELL, I DO HAVE A COMMENT. I TOO HAVE GIVEN THIS A SERIOUS AMOUNT OF THOUGHT AND CONSIDERATION.I'M ONE OF THOSE WHERE I TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN AND I DID TAKE MY CHILDREN AND WE WENT PARK HOPPING.
SOMETIMES WE ARE TRYING TO GO TO TWO OR THREE IN A DAY AND THEN DECIDING WHICH ONE WAS OUR FAVORITE.
I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT WE MIGHT APPROVE SUNDANCE IF DRUGS, TRAFFIC, SAFETY ARE AN ISSUE AND NOT WANT TO -- AND NOT FOR THE OTHER PARK. THAT DOESN'T MAKE ALIGNMENT IN MY MIND. I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE REACHED OUT AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THE RESTROOMS. THEY HAVE SMALL CHILDREN WHO WERE POLARIZED IN SOME SENSE TO NOT AS A GROUP SPEAK OUT. IT IS IN SUPPORT WITH WHAT THE BOARD HAD VOTED ON AND WHAT THE BOARD IN AUGUST HAD APPROPRIATED FUNDS FOR AND FELT THAT THE RESTROOMS WOULD BE AN ADDED AMENITY TO THE PARK. I PERSONALLY WILL BE IN FAVOR OF PUTTING RESTROOMS IN BOTH SUNDANCE AS WELL AS CAP STONE.
OTHER COMMENTS? IF NOT, IS THERE --
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT BOTH OF THE RESTROOMS BE APPROVED TO
PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION. >> SECOND.
>> OKAY. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
MOVED BY DIRECTOR WATSON. SECONDED BY DIRECTOR FRANKS.
IT IS TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET FOR BOTH SUNDANCE AND CAP STONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING -- WELL, MAYBE WE SHOULD VOTE? LET'S DO IT THIS WAY. DIRECTOR BAILEY?
>> YES. >> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS?
>> YES. >> AND DIRECTOR SNYDER, YES.
MOTION PASSES 6-1 TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BATHROOMS IN BOTH PARKS, SUNDANCE AND CAP STONE.
THANK YOU MR. MCGOWAN FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE.
[10. Receive, consider and act upon the award of bid for pool and pump house renovations (C-2022-0306), turf renovations (C-2022-0307), and park improvement renovations (C-2022-0308) at Falconwing Park;]
THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 10 IT IS TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE AWARD OF BID FOR POOL AND PUMP HOUSE RENOVATIONS, TURF RENOVATIONS AND PARK IMPROVEMENT RENOVATIONS.PLEASE REFER TO PAGE 45 TO 59. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST TWO*S YEARS THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT UNDER YOUR HR*EP -- UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE OVERALL WREN GNAW -- WREN GNAW -- RENOVATION OF THE PARK.
IT WILL HAVE BIDS FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER AND ADDRESS IMPROVEMENT. ARE YOU READY?
>> AS WAS STATED, I KNOW THIS WAS SOME TIME COMING.
WITH 2020 IT -- WITH COVID IT WAS DELAYED.
THE HOPE IT -- THE HOPE IS TO CATCH SOME BOARD MEMBERS THAT MAY NOT HAVE SEEN IT THE BUDGET AND THE BIDS RECEIVED FOR THE PARK -- FALCON WING PARK RENOVATION.
IT IS AN OVER VIEW OF FALCON WING PARK.
IT IS A VILLAGE PARK SO IT IS A LITTLE BIGGER.
THERE IS A POOL, BABY POOL, TWO LIGHTED TENNIS COURTS AND TWO LIGHTED MULTI-PURPOSE FIELDS AND A LIGHTED BASKETBALL COURT AND PAVILION AND 72 PARKING SPACES. YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF ACTIVITIES AT THIS PARK. SWIM LESSONS, OPEN SWIM, YOUTH, SPORTS PRACTICES AND 11,374 HOURS OF FACILITY RESERVATIONS BETWEEN THE FIELDS, THE TENNIS COURTS AND THE BASKETBALL COURTS AND POOL RENTALS. LAST YEAR ALONE 8,752 PHAOL USEE
POOL. >> WHAT IS THAT IN COMPARISON TO ANOTHER POOL FOR THOSE OF US WHO PERHAPS ARE NOT AWARE?
>> IT'S IN THE MIDDLE THERE. IT IS IN THE MIDDLE.
AND IT MAKES SENSE AND YOU'LL SEE THAT IT IS TIME FOR
[01:10:02]
RENOVATION, OBVIOUSLY. THAT REFRESHES IT AND GETS IT BUMPING AGAIN. THAT'S RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK. ROB FLEMING OF COURSE IS OFF ON ITS OWN WITH THE NUMBERS. USUALLY 12,000, 10,000 IS PRETTY CROWDED. PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS.WHEN WE DID THIS, AN ONLINE SURVEY WAS DONE AND WE GOT 432 RE-- RESPONSES. TALKED TO THE PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL AND GOT THEIR INPUT. TALKED TO THE VILLAGE SPRING ASSOCIATION AND GOT THEIR INPUT. WENT TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS AROUND THE PARK, INTER FAITH, STEPPING STONES, CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND I9 SPORTS HAS A BIG PRESENCE ON THE FIELD.
SOCCER GROUPS USE THAT. THE WOODLANDS CRICKET CLUB, WE WENT AND SPOKE WITH THEM. WITH ALL OF THOSE MEETINGS YOU CAN SEE THAT THESE ARE THE COMMENTS THEY GAVE US WITH THE PARK'S ADVISORY COUNCIL DRAINAGE, PARKING TRAILS AND THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION AND TREE PRESERVATION.
PARK -- PARKING, DRAINAGE AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.
YOU CAN KIND OF SEE A COMMON THEME THERE.
SO WHEN WE LOOKED AT THIS AND WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY, LOOKED AT POOL CODE AND CIRCULATION. THE POOL IS DATED AND SO IT IS TIME. A LOT OF THAT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED. DRAINAGE TO THE PARK AND FIELD.
WE HAVE ISSUES WITH THAT. PICKLEBALL WHICH WE CAN TALK -- THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN FUNDED AND IT IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
I'LL ACTUALLY SHOW A PICTURE OF THAT.
>> AND EVERYONE IS WAITING FOR IT.
>> YES, THEY ARE. >> PARKING -- ADDITIONAL PARKING BECAUSE WE WILL NEED THAT. WE WILL BRING MORE PEOPLE.
RESTROOMS AND POOL AMENITIES AND DIFFERENT PLAY FEATURES TO RE--
TO REFRESH IT. >> AND ADDRESS THE RESTROOMS.
>> ARE WE RENOVATING THEM? THEY ARE ALREADY THERE.
>> YES. WELL, NOT TO JUMP AHEAD, BUT IT IS TO REPURPOSE. WE ALREADY HAD RESTROOMS THERE THAT ARE MEANT FOR THE SWIMMING POOL.
IT IS ACTUALLY MOVING THE GATE BACK AND OPENING UP THE RESTROOMS THAT ARE USUALLY CLOSED EXCEPT FOR THE SWIMMING POOL SEASON. NOW THEY WILL HAVE A DUAL PURPOSE FOR THE SWIMMING TOOL -- SWIMMING POOL AND IT WILL ADD MORE RESTROOMS TO THE PARK USERS.
THERE IS AN OVER ALL MASTER PLAN THERE.
YOU CAN SEE THE PICKLEBALL COURTS AT THE TOP.
THERE ARE FUTURE ONES THERE. YOU CAN SEE THE FIELD THERE WITH THE CRICKET PITCH IN THE MIDDLE AND THE POOL THERE.
THE BUDGET SHOWS THAT 125,000 WAS INITIALLY DESIGNED AND BUDGETED. 1 TOWN 25 -- 1.25 MILLION FOR THE BUDGET. THERE WERE SEVERAL AMENDMENTS THROUGH THE YEARS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS.
600,000 FOR THE PICKLEBALL AND 1 POINT -- 1 MILLION FOR ENHANCED SCOPE AND 1.5 MILLION FOR ALL WEATHER TURF.
THAT BROUGHT IT UP TO $ 4.5 MILLION.
RIGHT NOW TO DATE LOOKING AT THE PLANNING WE HAVE DONE AND THE PICKLEBALL COURTS THAT ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND JUST UNDER PW-S 1 MILLION WAS SPENT. THERE IS 3.6 MILLION AVAILABLE.
THESE WERE THE BIDS THAT WE RECEIVED, UNFORTUNATELY.
IT WAS BROKEN INTO THREE SECTIONS.
THE POOL, THE ARTIFICIAL TURF AND THE OVERALL PARK IMPROVEMENTS. THE POOL WAS -- WE ONLY GOT TWO AND IT WAS ALL OVER THERE. THE ONE LOW ONE YOU CAN SEE AND OBVIOUSLY IT IS LOW. THEY PULLED THEIR BID OUT.
THEY DIDN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY WERE ASKING -- WHAT WE WERE ASKING THEM TO DO. THEY HAD ONE BID WE THOUGHT WAGS HIGH. ARTIFICIAL TUR -- TURF WAS IN LINE OR OKAY. UNFORTUNATELY THERE WERE SOME -- YOU CAN SEE THERE THERE WERE PORTIONS OF THE SCOPE THAT WEREN'T IN THAT ONE. IT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE PARK IMPROVEMENT RENOVATION. YOU CAN SEE THAT WAS THE BIG ONE. THE 4.7 MILLION WHICH WAS NOT FACTORED IN. THAT'S WHY WE ARE RECOMMENDING TO REJECT THESE BIDS. YOU CAN SEE PHASE A AT ONE POINS TO ACTUALLY USE SOME OF THE RESOURCES WE HAVE.
WITH THE PARKING LOT, THAT IS OUR -- THERE IS THERE ALREADY.
WE HAVE UNDER CONTRACT A CONCRETE SO THEY CAN DO THE ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES WE HAVE, THE 22 SPACES PLUS THE CONNECTOR THAT CONNECTS WITH THE CHURCH THAT OPENS UP THE PARK IS SPACE. THE POOL FOR JUST A LITTLE OVER
[01:15:02]
1.2 MILLION THROUGH A PROGRESSIVE THROUGH OUR BUYBOARD. FIELD LIGHTS JUST LIKE YOU ALL DID I KNOW WITH THE BIGGER PACKAGE BUT WENTWORTH AND AGAIN THAT IS THROUGH BUYBUO -- BUYBOARD.WITH THAT, IT IS 1.8 MILLION AND IT WILL LEAVE JUST ABOUT 1.8 REMAINING. THAT WILL GO BACK OUT AND LOOK AT OWL WEATHER -- ALL WEATHER TURF AND THE OTHER IMPROVEMENTS WE CAN DO. UNFORTUNATELY LIKE I MENTIONED, THE PARK IMPROVEMENT AND THE ARTIFICIAL TURF, WE HAVE TO REPACKAGE THAT. WE HAD DRAINAGE AND IT NEEDS TO BE IN THE OTHER ONE SO WE NEED TO RYE PACKAGE THAT.
>> THE TURF BIDS LOOK SIMILAR BASED ON THE PRIOR SLIDE.
>> IT DID. BUT IT DIDN'T FACTOR IN THE ADDITIONAL DRAINAGE THAT WE WILL NEED.
>> TURF IS IMPORTANT. IF YOU WATCH THE SUPER BOWL, YOU
CAN SEE TURF IS IMPORTANT. >> SO WITH THIS PROPOSED SCHEDULE IF THE BOARD APPROVES, IN MAY WE CAN COMPLETE PARKING LOT EXPANSION. THAT IS PRETTY EASY TO DO.
WE WILL WORK WITH THE OTHER ENTITIES.
IT IS A LOT OF ACTIVITY IN THAT AREA.
AND THEN JULY COMPLETE LED SPORT-LIKE CONVERSION.
AUGUST WE WILL HAVE THIS POOL SEASON THAT WILL OPEN IN MAY AND CLOSE IN AUGUST. IT WILL BE SET AS SOON AS THE POLL -- THE POOL IS SHUTDOWN FOR THE SEASON.
WE WILL HAVE IT READY BY MARCH OF 2024 FOR NEXT YEAR'S POOL SEASON. AND THEN TO BE DETERMINED FOR PHASE B AND C. AND THERE IS STILL SOME MONEY -- I SKIPPED IT ON THERE. THERE IS MONEY ALLOCATED FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE RESTROOMS THAT ARE ALREADY CURRENTLY THERE THAT
WE WOULD COME BACK TO FOR THOSE. >> SO I WOULD CALL FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO REJECT ALL BIDS FOR PUMP AND POOL HOUSE RENOVATION, ARTIFICIAL TURF RENOVATION AND PARK IMPROVEMENT RENOVATIONS FOR FALCON WING PARK, AND INSTEAD USE THE EXISTING CONTRACTS AND BUYBEARD CONTRACT TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM MARQUIS PROPERTY SERVICES FOR THE PARKING LOT EXPANSION AND PROGRESSIVE AND COMMERCIAL AQUATICS FOR THE RENOVATIONS OF THE POOL AND TECH LINE SPORTS AND LIGHTING FOR THE CON -- CONVERSION OF SPORT FIELD LIGHTS TO LED AND AUTHORIZE THE CEO TO EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY AGREEMENTS AS APPROVED IN FINAL FORM BY TOWNSHIP LEGAL COUNSEL. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED BY DIRECTOR SNYDER AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR MILNER.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING I?
>> I. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.
[11. Receive, consider and act upon the 2023-2024 Parks and Recreation Department Aquatics Division Business and Operational Plan and Aquatic Fees as outlined in Township Order 020-09, and schedule a public hearing in connection therewith;]
>> AND SO THAT BRINGS US TO -- YOU'RE STILL ON.
IF YOU WANT TO REFER TO PAGES 60 TO 125 THE PARKS AND REC -- RECREATION DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS A BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL PLAN FOR THE UH QUACK -- AQUA PARTICULAR DIVISION.
AND MARTY, YOU ARE HERE. DO YOU WANT TO COME UP IF JOHN NEEDS YOU? THE PLAN REVIEWS OPERATIONS, REVENUES AND EXPENSES AND PROVIDES THE BOARD OPTIONS TO CONSIDER. MR. MCGOWAN AND IF YOU NEED,
MARTY, HE IS RIGHT HERE. >> THANK YOU.
I HAVE THE EASY JOB. I AM JUST REPORTING THIS.
MARTY, OUR AQUATIC SUPERINTENDENT AND PAMELA WOODS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR DID ALL OF IT.
>> YOU NEED TO COME UP WITH JOIN MARTY.
>> AGAIN, SO THE BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL PLAN, AS YOU CAN SEE IT IS JUST THE OVERVIEW. ASSIST IN MANAGING AND 50% WAS THE POLICY OF COST RECOVERY THAT HAS BEEN CARRIED ON TO THE BOARD FOR THE YEARS THERE. PLANS DEVELOPED ON A BI-BASIS -- BI-ANNUAL BASIS AND WE HAVE REUSED THE COMPETITION AND THE EXPENSES. 2023 AND 2024 PLAN FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. AQUATICS, A LOT OF INFORMATION HERE, BUT I KNOW YOU HAVE SEEN AND HAD PICTURES TAKEN AND SO ON. SO THE AWARD-WINNING TEAM HAS PROGRAMS AND LIFEGUARDS AND OPERATIONS.
THE PROGRAMS AND THE BUDGETS -- THE AQUATIC PROGRAM SECTION WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE RECREATION BUDGET.
THE REST IS OUT OF THE AQUATIC BUDGET.
YOU CAN SEE 14 POOLS AND FIVE SPRAY GROUNDS.
[01:20:05]
THERE IS AGENCY OF THE YEAR FROM TEXAS PUBLIC POOL COUNCIL IN 2021. THEY JUST WON THE STATE LIFEGUARD CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR.AND THEN THEY JUST RECENTLY A COUPLE MONTHS AGO THEY WERE AWARDED THE TEXAS RECREATION OF PARK IS A -RB -- -- PARK SOCIETY AND IT IS AN AN AMAZING EVENT AT THE LAZY RIVER AT THE AQUATIC CENTER. THERE WAS A 5K IN THERE.
IT WAS INTERESTING AND CHALLENGING FOR PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE. POOL ATTENDANCE, AS YOU CAN SEE, POOL ATTENDANCE HAS DECREASED. OVERALL WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE S*EUBGSZ YEARS, -- SIX YEARS, KEEP IN MIND THAT IT IS WEATHER DEPENDENT. IF YOU HAVE A RAINY YEAR, THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT AND IF THE WHOLE SUMMER OF JUNE IS HIT IT IS HARD TO CATCH UP WITH THAT. YOU CAN SEE THAT IT HAS GONE DOWN. ACTUALLY IN 2020 ISN'T ON THERE AND THAT WAS THE COVID YEAR. WE DID HAVE SEVEN POOLS OPEN WE DID BRING AND WE WERE BUDGE -- BUDGETED AN AQUATIC SUPERVISOR AND THERE IS SAFETY AND OVERSIGHT TO HELP PROMOTE THE POOL AND PRAU -- PROMOTE POOL RENTAL AND THAT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL FROM THIS YEAR. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN SWIM AND TOTAL SWIM? OPEN SWIM IS LIKE A NORMAL POOL DAY. IT OPENS THROUGH THE DAY AND THEN IT CLOSES. THOSE ARE SWIM LESSONS AND SWIM TEAM IS -- TEAMS AND POOL RENTALS.
THAT'S WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER THERE.
POOL REVENUE YOU CAN SEE THERE. POOL PASSES HAVE DECREASED.
THE VILLAGE POOL DAY PASSES HAVE DECREASED OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS. DAYCARE PASSES HAVE INCREASED.
SO WITH THAT IN 2021 THERE WAS A FEE CHANGE.
AT THE END OF 2029 IT WAS JUST 10 DAYS WORTHS.
10 DAYS WORTH. A CHANGING WAS MADE AND COVID WAS IN 2020. WE DIDN'T MESS WITH THAT.
2021, YOU WOULD EXPECT ATTENDANCE DID GO DOWN.
WHEN THERE IS A FEE CHANGE, THAT SOMETIMES HAPPENS.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, THE REVENUE INCREASED.
YOU CAN SEE WHY THE PUNCH CARDS INCREASED.
PEOPLE HAVE CHOICES INSTEAD OF DAY PASSES.
THAT WAS THE YEAR THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT RATES. THAT WAS FACTORED IN THERE.
THIS IS IN PARTICULAR TO THE AQUATIC CENTER.
THAT WAS BROUGHT UP IN THOSE YEARS.
YOU CAN SEE THE USERS ACTUALLY -- THE ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN GOING. IT HAS BEEN GOING DOWN FROM 21 TO 22. THERE YOU CAN SEE THOUGH THAT A CONCERN WAS OVERCROWDING SO THE FEES WERE INCREASED.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY LOOK AT IT AND THE NUMBERS ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME. AN IMPORTANT THING TO NOTICE THAT NOW THERE IS A POOL PASS AND THE RESIDENTS ARE COMING TO THE POOL. DAILY FEES HAVE GONE DOWN AND IT SHOWS 48% ARE DAILY FEES. IT IS A 50/50 SPLIT BETWEEN NONRESIDENTS AND RESIDENTS. THEY ARE STILL COMING, BUT THERE IS A DECREASE IN THAT. IN THE PAST THAT DROVE A TOTAL REVENUE AND IT CAME INTO THE AQUA PARTICULARS BUDGET.
IT IS DOWN TO 20% LAST YEAR SO IT HAS COME DOWN.
HISTORICAL COST RECOVERY. WE ARE RIGHT -- WE ARE HOVERING AROUND 50% WHICH IS WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.
WE JUST GOT THE NUMBERS AND IT WAS 52.4%.
THE BUDGET IMPACTS AND THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM WHEN THE BUDGET WAS ESTABLISHED LAST YEAR.
YOU CAN SEE THE SEASONAL WAGES WERE INCREASED LAST YEAR TO HELP TO INCENTIVIZE STAFF. WE WERE UNDERSTAFFED.
WE HAD TO RELY HEAVILY ON OVERTIME AND SUCH.
AND THEN TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH ALL OF THE OTHER JOBS IN THE MARKETS, HR WORKED ON THAT AND WE DID A SEASONAL WAGE INCREASE.
OBVIOUSLY MORE EXPENSES THERE. POOL CHEMICALS, THAT WENT UP A
[01:25:03]
LITTLE BIT TOO. SO 66,000.AND ALSO AT LAKESIDE POOL WE ADDED HEATER.
THERE WAS COST FOR THE HEATER AND A NEW POOL TECHNICIAN.
YOU CAN SEE THE $54,000 THAT WAS ADDED THERE.
SO WITH THAT THE NEED TO REVIEW LANE RENTAL FEES TO ALLOW FOR THE INCREASE. ADDITIONAL EXPENSES IS $120,000.
YOU CAN SEE FUNDS MOVED FROM RECREATIONAL AQUATICS TO HANDLING -- TO HANDLE SOME OF THAT.
RECOVERY IS AT 47% WHICH THE POLICY IS 50%.
SO KEY BUSINESS PLAN FINDINGS IS RENTALS HAVE INCREASED WITH THE ADDITION OF LAKESIDE. THE POOL TECH AND UTILITY INCREASES AND RESULTS IN THE NEED FOR SERVICE.
DIRECT COSTS FOR PROVIDING POOL RENTALS HAVE LIFEGUARD WAGE INCREASES AND REQUIRING INCREASED FEES FOR THE SERVICE.
THE STAFF COSTS MORE TO RUN IT. IF IT WASN'T WE WOULD -- WE WOULD NOT MAKE ANY MONEY ON THE POOL RENTAL AT THE CURRENT STATE. POOL MEMBERSHIP FEES WERE SET TO INCREASE IN 2022. THAT'S AS PART OF THE 2021 AND 2022 AQUATIC BUSINESS PLAN. THE INCREASE WAS DELAYED IN 2022 TO BETTER EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF THE INCREASE TO $45.
SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.
WE LOOK AT OTHER ENTITIES THAT ARE AROUND US IN THE STATE.
THE 50 IS A COMPETITIVE PRICE POINT.
THROUGH RESEARCH AND LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS OF ATTENDANCE, IT DOES SHOW THAT SATURDAY MORNINGS FROM 10 TO NOON SHOWED THE SECOND LOWEST AVERAGE ATTENDANCE TIMES ACROSS THE POOLS FROM 2016 TO 2022. THEY HAVE THE LOWEST ATTENDED POOLS THAT ARE NOT ALREADY OPEN FROM NOON UNTIL 6.
SO SOME OF THE POOLS -- SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE ALTERED THEIR SCHEDULE, SAME THING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE WHERE THE ATTENDANCE NUMBERS DID NOT HAVE A NEED.
THEY WERE OPEN 12 TO 6 WHERE OTHERS ARE OPEN FROM 10:00 TO 8:00. THE PLAN FOR PROPOSED ACTION YOU CAN SEE AT THE TOP THERE. I KNOW THIS IS A LITTLE CONFUSING, YOU CAN SEE COST RECOVERY IS AT 47%.
EACH OF THESE ARE LIKE AN A LA CARTE.
YOU CAN SEE WHAT WE DO TO THE PERCENTAGES.
IT SAYS POTENTIAL REVENUE, BUT IT IS CUTTING EXPENSES THERE BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THE LIFEGUARDS THERE AND SUCH.
THAT SHOWS A TK-LS 43,000 -- IT SHOWS A $43,000 SAVINGS.
MODIFYING THAT IS .66. IT IS INCREASING IT TO EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER AND IT IS A .72%. AND THERE IS THE POOL RENTAL FEES THAT ARE THERE. THEY ARE INCREASING POOL RENTALS. THERE ARE DIFFERENT TIERS WITH THE DIFFERENT SIZED POOLS. YOU CAN SEE THE AQUA -- THE AQUATIC CENTER IS A BIGGER TICKET ITEM.
THEY ARE ALT $9 -- THEY ARE AT $9,000 AND .3.
I GUESS A BIG ONE TOO -- SORRY, I SKIPPED.
THE RESIDENT PASS FROM $45 TO $50 AND THEN THE NON-RESIDENT PASS FROM $150 TO $160. THAT WOULD INCREASE 61,500 AND BRING 1.97. IF YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE, AND I AM NOT SAYING TO PUT THEM ALL IN THERE, BUT IF THEY DID IT WOULD BRING IT TO 51.33%. REALLY THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PLAN AND SHOW YOU THE RESULTS.
IF A CHANGE TO FEES OR OPERATING HOURS ARE DESIRED IT IS SCHEDULED -- SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 22ND, NEXT WEEK.
>> FOR THOSE OF US THAT ARE NEW AND I THINK MR. MCGOWAN EXPLAINED IT WELL. POOL FEES AND/OR CHANGING THE HOURS OF THE POOL WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING TO LET OUR RESIDENTS KNOW AND WE WILL DEFER TO OUR LEGAL COUNSEL.
[01:30:01]
THE OTHER IS A POLICY SET BY THE BOARD IS THAT WE WOULD LIKE THE COST RECOVERY TO BE 50% AND AS YOU CAN SEE IT IS NOT QUITE 50% SO WE CAN CONSIDER ADJUSTING EITHER THE HOURS AND/OR THE FEESTRUCTURE OF THE POOLS. >> YOU SUMMARIZED VERY WELL.
THE POLICY TARGET, IF YOU WILL, IS 50%.
THAT CAN ALWAYS BE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD.
47% IS STILL VERY RESPECTABLE AND CLOSE.
WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING, WE FEEL CONFIDENT WE CAN ACHIEVE 47% AND WE MAY ACHIEVE TO 50%. RIGHT NOW IT IS JUST A PRO -- PROJECTION. IF WE WANT TO BE CERTAIN ON THE 50% RECOVERY, THEN WE ARE RECOMMENDING THE BOARD TO CONSIDER ONE OR MORE OF THE OPTIONS THAT WERE PRESENTED TO YOU TONIGHT TO BRING THOSE UP. AND THESE ARE BASED ON MARKET CONDITIONS. WE ARE BEING FAIR AND COMPARING AND COMPETING WITH THE ORGANIZATION.
IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO MODIFY ONE OR MORE, THEN WE WILL TAKE THAT ACTION -- WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THE ACTION TONIGHT.
WE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING NEXT WEEK WHERE YOU WILL TAKE
THE ACTION. >> AND A REMINDER THAT FEBRUARY 22 IS WHEN WE LAST -- FEBRUARY OF 22 IS WHEN WE LAST MADE AN ADJUSTMENT TO FEES FOR RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT.
WHAT WAS THAT? I'M GONNA DEFER.
THANK YOU. >> 2021 WE MADE -- THAT WAS THE -- WE INCREASED IT $5. SO IT WENT FROM 40 TO 45 THERE.
THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL PLAN. IT WAS ONE YEAR $5 AND THE NEXT WAS THE OTHER $5 WHICH WE DIDN'T DO.
AND THEN AT THAT POINT W*E -- WE HAD A RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT FEE. DAILY FEES.
THERE WAS ALWAYS A DIFFERENT FEE FOR THE POOL PASSES, BUT FOR THE DAILY PASSES AND THEN PUNCH CARDS.
THERE IS A RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENTS.
MR. STRONG, IF YOU WOULD EXPLAIN WHY THE NON-RESIDENT CAN ONLY BE SO MUCH GREATER THAN THE RESIDENT.
>> GO AHEAD. >> THIS IS BASED ON LEGAL OPINION THAT WE HAD PREVIOUSLY AND IT IS JUST ROOTED IN STATE LAW THAT WHEN YOU ARE -- BECAUSE WE ARE USING THE PUBLIC FUNDS SO WE CAN HAVE A DIFFERENCE IN RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT, BUT THERE IS A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH OF THE SPREAD THE TWO CAN BE.
>> I APOLOGIZE. >> SCHOOL IS STARTING SO MUCH EARLIER THESE DAYS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT YEAR AFTER YEAR, ARE THEY APPLES TO APPLES THE SAME AMOUNT OF DAYS THEY ARE
YES, IT DOES WORK THAT WAY. YES.
AND SO EVERYONE KNOWS WITH THE SCHEDULE, WE HAVE THE PULSE OF THE SCHOOL SCHEDULE BECAUSE THAT'S THE EMPLOYEES.
WE DO NEED THAT. WE HAVE TOMBALL ISD AND THEY ARE A LITTLE EARLIER OR LATER. YES.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE LEFT LANE RENTAL.
ORGANIZATIONS ARE CONTRACTING TO USE THOSE LANES, CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. >> AND SO [INAUDIBLE] ARE THEY
>> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE A COMMENT IF I MAY.
YOU JUST POINTED OUT THE 14 POOLS THAT WE OPERATE ARE ALL PUBLIC POOLS, RIGHT? AND THE 150 PARKS WE OPERATE ARE ALL PUBLIC PARKS. AND I REMEMBER A VIGOROUS DISCUSSION AND A VOICING OF CONCERNS ESPECIALLY FROM THE RESIDENTS OF CREEK SIDE WHENEVER THEY TPEPLT -- THEY FELT -- WHENEVER THEY FELT THEIR ACCESS TO THEIR OWN POOL THAT THEY CONSIDERED THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD POOL WHICH QUARTERBACK IT WASN'T. IT WAS A TOWNSHIP-WIDE PARK AND POOL THAT IT WAS NOT BEING SATISFIED.
IT WAS BEING LIMITED BECAUSE OF OVERUSE BY OTHERS WHO WERE NOT EVEN TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS. I REMEMBER THAT AND HOW WE WORKED HARD TO ACCOMMODATE THE WISHES OF THE RESIDENTS IN THAT REGARD. WE WERE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A GOOD SOLUTION THEY WERE PLEASED WITH.
YOUR DATA SHOWS IT WAS EFFECTIVE AND I UH PLOWED YOU FOR THAT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT TO ME, EARLIER, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DENIED THE RESIDENTS OF CAP STONE.
THEY HAD THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR OWN -- WHETHER IT IS RIGHT
[01:35:03]
OR WRONG THEY CONSIDER THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE, WHICH WAS CAP STONE PARK. I THINK WE JUST NEED TO PAY ATTENTION THAT RESIDENTS DO HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE RESOURCES THAT ARE LOCATEY CLOSE TO THEIR HOME -- LOCATED CLOSE TO THEIR HOME. I HOPE THE BOARD RECOGNIZES THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME AND IT IS NOT THE LAST THAT RESIDENTS SAY I WANT SOME CHANGES IN THE WAY THAT IT IS OUR RESOURCES AND RIGHT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THEY ARE BEING USINGED. I SUPPORT THE INCREASES AND THE MODIFICATIONS AND YOU ALWAYS BRING US VERY GOOD SUGGESTIONS.IT JUST NEEDED TO BE SAID. >> HE IS SUGGESTING TO ACCEPT THE REPORT WITHOUT ANY MODIFICATIONS.
>> NO -- YES, THE MODIFICATIONS WOULD BE INCREASING UP TO A 51.33% RECOVERY IF THAT'S WHAT WE DECIDE TO DO AFTER THE PUBLIC
IF YOU WOULD GO BACK TO YOUR -- >> AS I UNDERSTOOD IT BECAUSE WE ARE PAST CAP STONE, WHAT I UNDERSTOOD IS THAT YOU ARE SAYING THE PROJECTIONS ARE UH -- ASSERTIVE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE 47 TO 48% AND YOU FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT THAT AND WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO MAKE RESCISSION -- REVISIONS TO GET TO 50 UNLESS THE BOARD CHOOSES. IF WE WERE COMFORTABLE WITH THE 47 TO 48% WE CAN PROCEED WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THAT CORRECT? >> WE ONLY HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING
>> THANK YOU. >> COULD YOU GO BACK AND SHOW US
WHAT YOUR RECOMMENDATION WAS? >> WELL, THESE WERE THE OPTIONS.
>> GO BACK TO WHERE IT SUCCESS -- TO WHERE IT SAYS --
>> SO WHEN YOU SAY AB -- ACCEPT, GO BACK TO THE SLIDE YOU SHOWED US. ARE YOU RECOMMENDING THAT WE ACCEPT THE CHANGES FOR THESE AND/OR OURS AND THAT WE KEEP
THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE? >> HERE COMES THE BIG DOG.
>> I AM GOING TO CALL ON MARTY. >> GO RIGHT AHEAD.
IN ALL FAIRNESS WHEN WE USE THE TERM "ACCEPT," IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO LIKE THE COMMUNITY SERVICES REPORT THAT WAS EARLIER. YOU ARE JUST RECEIVING IT AND SAYING, HEY, WE'VE GOT IT. AND NOW THE QUESTION IN THE SECOND BULLET, IN THE NEXT SLIDE IS IF THE BOARD SO CHOOSES TO MAKE CHANGES IT MAY REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING AND IF THERE ARE NO KHAEUFPBG -- CHANGES NO PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.
>> IS THERE A MOTION? >> I MOVE TO ACCEPT.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. I'M SORRY, DIRECTOR GIBBS, I DID
NOT HEAR WHAT YOU WERE MOVING. >> TO ACCEPT THIS REPORT.
>> YES. MOVED BY DIRECTOR SEBG COULD YOU LAW GIBBS AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR WATSON TO ACCEPT THE REPORT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY
THANK YOU. >> ARE YOU UP AGAIN?
>> DO YOU WANT TO BE? >> THE ONLY GUY WORKING HARDER
THAN YOU IS THE PHOTOGRAPHER. >> AND HE'S GONE.
[12. Receive, consider and act upon assigning research projects to the Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee;]
>> THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 12, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON ASSIGNING RESEARCH PROJECTS TO THE AD HOC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. REFER TO PAGES 126, 127 IN YOUR BOARD PACKET. THIS AGENDA ITEM CONSIDERS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIFIC INITIATIVES TO BE EVALUATED BY THE AD-HOC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS. WE WILL CALL ON PRESIDENT SHARP
GOOD EVENING. AS YOU ALL KNOW THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED BY THIS BOARD IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. YOU HELD A STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION WHERE YOU TALKED ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND YOU TALKED ABOUT SOME SPECIFIC PROJECTS LIKE THE PERFORMING ARTS FACILITY. FOR EXAMPLE, THAT YOU WOULD LIKE FURTHER EVALUATION ON AND THEN TO BRING BACK TO THE FULL BOARD.
WHAT THIS AGENDA ITEM IS DOING IS ASSIGNING THE PROJECTS THAT WERE LISTED IN YOUR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE FOR EVALUATION AND TO DEVELOP
[01:40:03]
FUNDING STRATEGIES AND THOSE TIMES -- THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.AND IT BRINGS US BACK TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ANY ACTION. IT IS REALLY THAT SIMPLE.
WE ARE JUST GOING THROUGH THE PROCEDURAL STEPS TO GET THEM
INTO THE ECONOMIC COMMITTEE. >> IS THERE A MOTION?
>> WE WILL DISCUSS. >> LET ME FINISH.
MOVED BY DIRECTOR FRANK AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR NELSON.
IT IS TO -- HELP ME. >> TO ASSIGN PROJECTS -- THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MADAM CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT SHARP, COULD YOU DELINEATE IN MORE DETAIL FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT BENEFIT WHAT THE PROJECTS ARE AND THE FUNDING THAT LOOKS LIKE THERE WOULD BE A REQUEST
FOR FUNDING FOR THESE PROJECTS? >> I CAN -- YES.
I WILL ADDRESS THAT. THE PROJECTS DISCUSSED IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION WERE THE PERFORMING ARTS FACILITY, THE VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTERS AND THE ROGANS MILL PROPERTY AND THE
PROPERTY OWNED BY THE TOWNSHIP. >> AND FOR THE RESIDENTS IT IS ALL IN OUR PACKET. IT IS VERY TRANSPARENT WHAT THE
IN TERMS OF THE FUNDING, I CAN'T ADDRESS THAT ANSWER RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S ACTUALLY LITERALLY THE PURPOSE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO START DEVELOPING FUNDING STRATEGIES.
THAT AGAIN WOULD BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
>> THERE HAS BEEN NO FUNDING REQUESTS AND NOR COULD THERE BE WITHOUT COMING BACK BEFORE THE BOARD.
>> IT JUST GIVES AUTHORITY TO THE AD HOC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SO THAT THE RESIDENTS KNOW WHAT IT IS REWITH LOOKING -- WE ARE LOOKING AT. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTERS.
THREE OF WHICH ARE WANTING GROCERY STORES FOR ANCHOR TENANTS. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, COMMENTS
FOR PRESIDENT SHARP? >> HOW MUCH WAS SPENT PRIOR ON STUDIES FOR THE PERFORMING ART CENTER LOCATION AND THE GE BETZ
PROPERTY? >> IN TERMS OF THE PERFORMING ART FACILITY, WE HAD SET ASIDE -- YOU MAY HAVE TO HELP ME HERE. SO IT WAS $175,000.
I THINK THE MAJORITY OF THAT HAS BEEN SPENT.
THERE IS A LITTLE LEFT. AND THEN ARE YOU ASKING FOR A
FULL AMOUNT -- >> YEAH, THE TOPBLG MA HALL AND -- THE TAUPBLG MA HALL AND THE PERFORMING ART, HOW MUCH WAS
SPENT ON THAT. >> IN TERMS OF THE STUDY ITSELF? THAT WAS A LITTLE LESS THAN THAT.
A LITTLE UNDER 20,000 IF I RECALL.
>> AND HOW MUCH WAS SPENT TO FIRE THE GE BETZ PROPERTY AND WE
SPENT MONEY SINCE? >> AROUND 14 MILLION.
WE HAVE SPENT SOME MONEY ON THE REMEDIATION OF THE PROPERTY FOR THE LEVELING OF THE PROPERTY RIGHT NOW.
AND THOSE MONIES WERE FUNDED FROM THE GE BETZ AND MAYOR GUILIANI DASH AND MAINTAINED A LEASE ON THE PROPERTY.
AND THOSE ARE THE MONIES THAT WERE USED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS
TO THE PROPERTY. >> SO WE ARE JUST CLEARING THE PROPERTY AND NOTHING ELSE WILL BE DONE UNTIL SOMETHING IS
DETERMINED? >> WHEN WE CLEAR THE PROPERTY WE WILL HAVE A TEMPORARILY PARKING LOT.
IT IS NOT PERMANENT, BUT IT IS JUST SO WE CAN FACILITATE PARKING UNTIL DECISIONS ARE MADE.
>> LIKE THE GOLD LOT. >> AND WHEN WAS THE GE BETZ
PROPERTY PURCHASED? >> 2015? 2016? MAYBE 2016.
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS PRIOR TO MY TIME ON -- WELL.
WE WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK. >> PROBABLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN THE WOODLANDS,
CORRECT, RIGHT NOW? >> MOST VALUABLE.
>> MOST VALUABLE PIECE OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AVAILABLE.
>> IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION THAT WAS BY DIRECTOR FRANKS AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR
[ CLOSED MEETING (if applicable)]
[01:45:03]
THANK YOU PRESIDENT SHARP. THAT BRINGS US TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. I HEAR BY ANNOUNCE THAT THE BOARD HILLARY -- WILL RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON MATTERS PURSUANT TO 551072. THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE DELIBERATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO 551087 AND TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE AND DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS AND PURSUANT TO 551074.TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, DISCUSS I.T. NETWORK OR CRITICAL INTPRAE SECURITY PURSUANT TO 551089. THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE AND TO CONSULT WITH THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY PURSUANT TO 551071, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. IT IS 7:44.
[14. Reconvene in public session;]
>> IT IS 8:40 AND WE WILL NOW RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME.
[15. Receive, consider and act upon a tax abatement termination agreement with Alight Solutions (C-2019-0196)(C-2023-0074); ]
THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 15.TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A TAX ABATEMENT TERMINATION AGREEMENT WITH ALIGHT SOLUTIONS. AS LEGALLY REQUIRED, NOTICE OF THIS TAX ABATEMENT TERMINATION WAS POSTED PUBLICLY 30 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING. KNOW THAT IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, WE'LL ASK MONIQUE TO PRESENT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE A TAX ABATEMENT TERMINATION AGREEMENT WITH 8770 NEW TRAILS HOLDING AND ALIGHT SOLUTIONS AND AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT BY A QUORUM OF LEGAL COUNCIL. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED BY DIRECTOR SNYDER AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR FRANKS.
DISCUSSION? IF NOT ALL IN FAVOR RESPOND BY
[16. Consideration of items to be placed on the agenda for next month's meeting;]
AGENDA ITEM 16, TO CONSIDER ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MONTH'S MEETING. ARE THERE ANY MATTERS THAT NEED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MONTH'S MEETING?I WOULD LIKE TO PUT ON NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA TO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE OR A TASK FORCE TO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH TXDOT ON THE 242 PROJECT AND BE THE REPRESENTATION OF THE BOARD.
I WOULD LET THAT BE TO THE CHAIRWOMAN'S DETERMINING ON A
PARTICULAR PERSON. >> OTHER AGENDA ITEMS?
>> MADAM CHAIRMAN, I HAVE TWO AGENDA ITEMS. THE FIRST ONE IS TO REQUEST THAT THE STAFF GIVE US AN UPDATE ON MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICIALS AND WHERE THEY STAND ON THE PROMISES THEY MADE TO FUND THE 93 DEPUTIES THAT PROVIDE COMMUNITY POLICING FOR THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PORTION OF THE WOODLANDS.
>> EXCUSE ME. ARE YOU SPEAKING OF OUR LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT? >> THE WOODLANDS -- TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE WOODLANDS CONTINUES TO MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF REFUNDS FOR THESE PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY SINCE THEY APPARENTLY DID FUND --
>> [INAUDIBLE] TO DISCUSS [INAUDIBLE] WHAT HAS BEEN
ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. >> OKAY.
AND YOUR SECOND? >> THE SECOND, IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT RECENTLY A WELL THAT IS OWNED BY THE TOWNSHIP WAS VANDALIZED AND APPROXIMATELY 500,000 GALLONS OF POTABLE WATER WERE REMOVED FROM THE JASPER AQUAFER AND PUMPED INTO THE POND. I AM ASKING THE BOARD -- THE STAFF RATHER TO PROVIDE US A REPORT ON THAT AND TO DISCUSS HOW IT OCCURRED AND WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO PREVENT THIS SORT OF INCIDENT FROM BEING REPEATED AT THE POND OR ANY OF THE TOWNSHIP-OWNED WELL THAT'S FEED OUR PONDS.
>> I HAVE ANOTHER ONE. I WOULD LIKE AN AGENDA ITEM TO BE PLACED EITHER THE NEXT ONE OR THE FOLLOWING ONE.
I DON'T WANT TO PUT TOO MUCH TASK ON STAFF, A FULL ACCOUNTING OF ALL EXPENSES THAT MAY BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC OF THE INCORPORATION DEBATE GOING BACK TO 2016, I THINK IS THE BEST
[01:50:02]
TIME, AND THAT IS CONSULTANTS. THAT IS IN KIND DONATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC MAGAZINE AND THE ARCHITECTURAL FEES FOR CITY HALLS. THAT IS MARKETING CAMPAIGNS, VIDEO CAMPAIGNS THAT WERE DONE ON THE TOWNSHIP'S SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES. ANYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH INCORPORATION I WOULD LIKE IT WOULD BE MADE UP TO THE PUBLIC TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY WAS SPENT ON THAT.[17. Board announcements; and]
IF NOT, THAT WILL BRING US TO BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS.I HAVE ONE. A REMINDER THAT SATURDAY IS MUDDY TRAILS WHICH IS LOTS OF FUN AND --
>> I JUST HAD A QUICK -- I'M SORRY TO INTERJECT.
WE CAN'T DISCUSS. WE JUST NEED TO WAIT --
>> [INAUDIBLE] BE CAREFUL OF MAKING STATEMENTS OF FACT ORIE SPAWNING. -- OR RESPONDING.
THAT'S MY GUIDANCE. >> MUDDY TRAILS, HELP ME, IS SATURDAY. AND THE CRAWFISH BOIL.
IT IS AT ROB FLEMING RECREATION PAVILION?
SO THEY ARE ALMOST SOLD OUT. AND HE IS DOING THE 5K SO WE
NEED TO CHEER HIM ON. >> ANOTHER PROCLAMATION COMING
ANY OTHER BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS? IF NOT IS THERE A MOTION TO
>> SECOND. >> SO MOVED AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR FRANKS AND DIRECTOR NELSON.
IT IS 8:46 AND THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
SEE YOU
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.