[00:00:08]
>> GOOD EVENING. AND WELCOME TO THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING, MARCH 29, 2023.
[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;]
I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO WELCOME DR. BRUCE WEBB AS HE JOINS US TODAY TO PROVIDE THE INVOCATION. DR. WEBB IS A NATIVE OF BIG SPRING TEXAS AND HAS SERVED AS THE SENIOR PASTOR OF THE WOODLANDS FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS.EARLY IN HIS MINISTRY, HE SERVED AS THE SENIOR PASTOR AT ISLAND BAPTIST CHURCH IN SOUTH PADRE AND CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH IN JACKSONVILLE, TEXAS. HE EARNED HIS DOCTORATE OF MINISTRY AND PROCLAMATION IN 1996, MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREE IN 1991, AND FROM SOUTHWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN FORT WORTH, TEXAS. AND A BACHELOR OF MUSIC EDUCATION DEGREE FROM TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY.
HE IS MARRIED TO HIS LOVELY WIFE NANCY, AND THEY HAVE THREE WONDERFUL DAUGHTERS. DR. WEBB.
>> AND GRANDCHILDREN NOW. I GOT TO THE WOODLANDS AS QUICK AS I COULD. LET'S PRAY.
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE INCREDIBLE GIFT IT IS TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY. LORD, WE DON'T TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED AT ALL. WE KNOW THAT IT IS NOT THIS WAY BY ACCIDENT. IT IS BECAUSE OF CITIZENS WHO HAVE HONORED YOU IN THE WAY THEY LIVE.
LORD, I'M SO THANKFUL THESE-- FOR THESE BOARD MEMBERS AND TOWNSHIP MEMBERS. AND THE EFFORT AND THE TIME THAT THEY GIVE TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THIS COMMUNITY.
WE PRAY YOU GIVE THEM WISDOM AND THAT YOU GIVE THEM GUIDANCE, THAT THEY WOULD MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS, LORD, SO THIS COMMUNITY CAN CONTINUE TO BE THE PLACE THAT IT IS.
AND ALL OF US COLLECTIVELY, AS WE THINK ABOUT OUR NATION, AND WE PRAY FOR NASHVILLE, AND THAT COMMUNITY AND THE LOSS OF LIFE THAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED. WE PRAY THAT YOUR SPIRIT AND YOUR PRESENCE WOULD BE WITH T THEM, THAT YOU WOULD HELP THEM THAT, YOU WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM IN SOME WAY, TO HELP THEM WALK THROUGH THIS. PRAY FOR OUR NATION THAT YOU WILL GIVE US WISDOM AND GUIDANCE AND HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THESE ISSUES OF VIOLENCE IN THE BEST WAY.
WE JUST PRAY FOR YOUR HELP, AND LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR ALL OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
PRAY YOUR BLESSINGS ON THEM AND THEIR FAMILY.
THEY COULD BE SPENDING THEIR TIME DOING OTHER THINGS.
BUT THEY ARE DOING THESE THINGS TO HELP US.
WE ARE GRATEFUL. WE PRAY THIS WAY IN THE NAME OF RISEN LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DR. WEBB.
WE ALSO ARE VERY FORTUNATE TONIGHT TO HAVE OUR WONDERFUL HONORABLE COUNTY JUDGE. HE IS HERE THIS EVENING TO NOT ONLY LEAD US IN OUR PLEDGE BUT ALSO TO PRAY WITH US.
A LITTLE BIT ANT ABOUT JUDGE KEOUGH.
HE IS THE SENIOR PASTOR OF THE WOODLANDS BIBLE CHURCH.
AND AS MENTIONED, HE ALSO SERVES AS THE MONTGOMERY CO COUNTY JUDE AND PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR DISTRICT 15 IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
HE ASSISTED US, THE TOWNSHIP, BY PASSING LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE A CLEAR PATH AFTER 26 SUCCESSFUL YEARS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE IND INDUSTRY, HE RETIRED AND CHOSE TO PURSUE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY AS HIS VOCATION. HE HELD A MASTER'S DEGREE FROM DALLAS THEOLOGICAL AND GRACE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES AS WELL AS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY.
HE IS THE FATHER OF FOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDFATHER OF THREE. HE RESIDES IN THE WOODLANDS WITH HIS WIFE KIMBERLY AND THEIR TWO DOGS.
THE KEOUGHS HAVE CALLED MONTGOMERY COUNTY THEIR HOME SINCE 1996 WITH THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE IN THE WOODLANDS.
PLEASE HELP ME WELCOME PASTOR MARK KEOUGH.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE TONIGHT AND TO SERVE IN THIS WAY. SOMETIMES WHEN I HAVE A CHANCE TO EITHER DO THE INVOCATION OR THE PLEDGES, I HAVE TO DECIDE, AM I GOING TO PUT ON MY PASTOR HAT OR MY JUDGE HAT.
AND IN THIS CASE, I HAVE COME HERE TO PUT ON BOTH.
I DO WANT TO SAY ABOUT THE FLAGS, THOUGH, AND ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE AMERICAN FLAG AND THE TEXAS FLAG, OUR ARTICLES SAY IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT TEXAS IS A FREE AND
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INDEPENDENT STATE. SUBJECT ONLY TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR FREE INSTITUTIONS AND THE PERPETUITY OF THE UNION DEPEND ON THE RIGHT OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT UNIMPAIRED TO ALL OF THE STATES.SO THAT STARTS WITH OUR CONSTITUTION FOR OUR AMERICAN FLAG AND FOR OUR TEXAS FLAG TO NOTE, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, WE ARE HERE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY WAS NAMED BY GEORGE BUSH, GEORGE BUSH, JR., IF YOU WILL. HE WAS THE ONE WHO CONGRESS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE TEXAS FLAG WAS ORIGINATING FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS. AND SO THIS IS THE HOME OF THE TEXAS FLAG. IF YOU WOULD STAND WITH ME AS WE SAY THE PLEDGES. FIRST, THE AMERICAN FLAG, THEN THE 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 JUST FOR ALL. -- JUSTICE FOR ALL.
TEXAS FLAG. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS.
ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. DIRECTORS.
[2. Call meeting to order;]
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO OR ORDER. IT IS 6:06.
AND 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 BOUNDARIES OF THE TOWNSHIP AT THIS OFFICE BUILDING. STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT AT LEAST FOUR OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS BE IN ATTENDANCE TO ESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS. I ASK EACH BOARD MEMBER TO INDICATE HIS OR HER PRESENCE BY RESPONDING WITH SOME AUDIBLE SOUND OF ACKNOWLEDGE. AS I CALL ROLL.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS. >> HERE.
>> DR. SNYDER. 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;]
DECLARE THAT WE HAVE A QUORUM. NEXT ON THE AGENDA, TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON THE ADOPTION OF THE MEETING AGENDA.IF YOU WOULD REFER IN YOUR BOARD BOOK TO PAGES 1-3, IS THERE A MOTION AND SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA?
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
>> QUESTION, QUESTION. I APOLOGIZE, CHAIRMAN.
>> JUST A MINUTE. JUST A MINUTE.
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
DISCUSSION. >> I'M PROBABLY OUT OF ORDER.
TWO ITEMS OUT OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> I BELIEVE THE CONSENT IS WHEN I PULL IT UP AS AGENDA ITEM-- YES. AFTER THE PROCLAMATION.
>> A LITTLE BIT PREMATURE. >> YES.
AS WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY
[4. Recognize public officials;]
THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 4. RECOGNIZE PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
WE DID HAVE THE HONORABLE COUNTY JUDGE MARK KEOUGH WAS HERE FOR THE BEGINNING OF OUR MEETING. SO WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT HE CAME
[5. Public comment;]
BY. NEXT IS PUBLIC COMMENT.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 AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH AND EVERY REGULAR BOARD MEETING.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 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 GUIDELINES: FOR PARTICIPATING IN PUBLIC MEETINGS. EACH PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD MUST FIRST 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 COMMENTS.
AGENDA ITEM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
INDIVIDUALS WILL BE LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF THREE MINUTES REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF TOPICS.
AND THE CHAIR, AFTER THREE MINUTES, WILL ASK THE INDIVIDUAL TO CONCLUDE HIS OR HER REMARKS. SPEAKERS WILL BE TAKEN IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY SIGN UP. ANY SPEAKER ON A SINGLE SUBJECT MAY YIELD HIS OR HER TIME TO ANOTHER SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
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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 VIEWPOINTS ON AN ISSUE BUT ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEBATE OF AN ISSUE. SPEAKERS WILL NOT USE PROFANITY.
COMMENTS FROM SPEAKERS MAY 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 THAT BRINGS US TO FIRST, VIVIAN.
NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK. >> THANK YOU.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME, VIVIAN. >> GOOD EVENING.
I'M GOING TO TALK 90 MILES AN HOUR LIKE I DID THE LAST TIME.
MAKE SURE I GET EVERYTHING WITHIN THE TIME.
I'M VIVIAN FRIDAYLEY HEREFORD, A RESIDENT OF AUTUMN BRIDGE VILLAGE. IN PARTICULAR, A RESIDENT ALONG HIGHWAY 242 COLLEGE PARK DRIVE. NOTE THAT 242 ON THE WEST SIDE OF I-45 IS APPROXIMATELY #.5 SPAN OF HIGHWAY THAT BRIDGES I-45 TO 1488. FOR OUR BOARD MEMBERS, THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I'M HERE, IS TO KEEP 242 ALIVE AND WELL AND HEALTHY. TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS ARE INFORMED. OUR COMMUNITY ALONG 242 IS IN DANGER OF POTENTIAL HIGHWAY EXPANSION THAT INVOLVED ONE, AN ADDITIONAL LANE TRAVELING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, MAKING 242 A SIX-LANE HIGHWAY. TWO, A SOUND BARRIER WALL SUCH AS NOT EXISTENT INSIDE THE WOODLANDS.
THREE, A WALKWAY ALONG THE WALL. AND FOUR, 21 ACRES OF DETENTION PONDS. THE SHORT LIST OF CONCERNS FOR SUCH HIGHWAY EXPANSION WAS MAJOR FLOOING, PROPERTY VALUE, AND THE SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS. FORTUNATELY, THE EXPANSION HAS BEEN MODIFIED. ALLOW ME TO SET THE SCENE OF 242 IN THE WOODLANDS. WHILE BUSTLING TO I-45, YOU ARE ABOUT TO DISCOVER THAT 242 FROM GOSLING TO 1488 IS ONE OF THE BEST-KEPT SECRETS IN THE WOODLANDS.
I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THE SPORTS PARK.
ONE PARK HAS A SWINKING POOL, A FISHING BOND, TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL COURTS, TRAILS, PICNIC AREAS WITH BARBECUE PITS.
WE ARE A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD THAT TAKES FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE PARK AND SPORTS PARK WHICH BY THE WAY, CONTAINS A COMMUNITY GARDEN. INSTEAD OF TRAFFIC ALONG THIS STRETCH OF 242, YOU ARE GOING TO FIND RESIDENTS, PEDESTRIANS, CROSSING 242 AT WINDVALE CIRCLE, A STREET THAT CIRCLES AND UNITES THE RESIDENTS ON EITHER SIDE OF 242.
PLUS, THE CIRCLE GOES TO NORTHWAY DRIVE AND DOWN TO GREEN RIDGE DRIVE. EXTENDING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD RIGHT TO THE SPORTS PARK. THE ALDEN BRIDGE SPORTS PARK.
NOW, IT IS HEAVY PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.
IT IS A FAMILY FREEWAY. MOMS AND DADS TOW THEIR LITTLE ONES TO THE POOL AND PLAYGROUND. FISHERMEN CROSS WITH THEIR POLE IN HAND. BASKETBALLS ARE LITERALLY BOUNCED ACROSS 242 ON THE WAY TO THE COURT.
I HAVE EVEN SEEN FOLKS OUT FOR FRESH AIR MAKING A TREK ACROSS 242. THERE IS A HANDY CAP LOCATION THERE. A TYPICAL EVENING SEES AN ENTIRE FAMILY ON THEIR BIKES, THEIR DOG ALONGSIDE CROSSING 242.
LAST NIGHT, SERIOUSLY, I PASSED A FAMILY CROSSING 242.
(INAUDIBLE) I ASK YOU. CLEARLY, THIS IS A SWEET COMMUNITY THAT IS NOT SUPER BUSY.
IT IS ESSENCE OF THE WOODLANDS. GIVEN THIS OVERVIEW FOR OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS, THE RESIDENTS ALONG 242 WISH TO PRAISE THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THEIR ENERGY, DEDICATION, AND LISTENING TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL OF 2022. WE CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR
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SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY. TRULY, THE BOARD IS A STAR, LITERALLY STANDING BESIDE US. LITERALLY.AS WE SPOKE WITH TXDOT, FLOOD CONTROL ENTITIES AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THANK YOU, DR. SNYDER AND DR. SEKULA-GIBBS. AND THANK YOU FOR STAYING THE COURSE. I NEED TO ADD ON HERE, KYLE WATSON. I HAVE FOUND OUT HAS BEEN PART OF THE DESIGN MODIFICATIONS FOR 242.
THANK YOU TO LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT, LEGISLATORS LISTENING AND FINALLY, A SIGNIFICANT THANK YOU GOES TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
TO EACH OF THE TXDOT MEMBERS INVOLVED, FOR ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE. IT SPEAKS HIGHLY OF TXDOT.
ULTIMATELY, THIS WAS FOLKS COMING TOGETHER LISTENING AND SHARING IDEAS WITH A WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF PEOPLE. NOW, ISN'T THAT HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. SO AS TXDOT MODIFIES PLANS FOR 242, MOVING FORWARD, THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT AREAS THAT NEED A BIT OF TWEAKING.
THE DRAINAGE PONDS SHOULD BE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE WOODLANDS OTHER PONDS. NO CHAINLIK FENCE, PLEASE.
AND WALKWAYS TO THE BIKE AND WALKING TRAILS THAT TIE US TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY. THE SPORTS PARK IS IN DIRE NEED OF PARKING AS WELL AS ENTRANCE AND EXIT THAT ENHANCES TRAFFIC FLOW. CURRENTLY, PAG PARKING OVERFLOWS ON TO 242 FOR APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER OF A MILE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE PARK ENTRANCE. ENDANGERING PEDESTRIANS AND TRAFFIC. THREE, THE COMMUNITY OF HARP E'S LANDING WOULD BENEFIT GREATLY FROM A PEDESTRIAN BIKE PATH.
FINALLY, LANDSCAPING OF THE MEDIAN HAS DETERIORATED.
IN NEED OF ATTENDANCE. IT IS NOT AT ALL IN LINE WITH THE AESTHETICS WHICH OUR COMMUNITY IS ACCUSTOMED.
BOTTOM LINE. OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN AUTUMN BRIDGE ALONG 242 IS THE WOODLANDS.
NOTE, I USED TO LIVE INSIDE THE WOODLANDS.
BEING ON THE OUTSKIRTS IS DIFFERENT.
AND SO I'M VERY APPRISED OF. THAT KEEP US AS THE WOODLANDS.
242 IS THE INTEREST TO SOME OF THE WOODLANDS' PRIZED ENTITY.
THE MEDICAL CENTER, ST. LUKE'S, IF, TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER. WE ARE ONE OF THE BUSIEST SHOPPING AREAS IS AT THE 242 BOORSTEP.
-- DOORSTEP. PLEASE, CONTINUE TO LISTEN AND SUPPORT AS WE CONFER WITH TXDOT TO ASSURE THE BEST FOR ALL.
BECAUSE OF RESIDENTS ON THE EDGE, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET US.
WE ARE ONE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU, VIVIAN.
YOU CAN REST ASSURED. YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN FORGOTTEN.
SO WE ARE THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE HERE THIS EVENING.
AND THAT BRINGS US TO MARK ALLEN.
MR. ALLEN, YOU ARE BACK. THANK YOU.
>> I'M MARCUS ALLEN. I'M A RESIDENT IN CREEKSIDE PARK VILLAGE. I JUST WANT TO PROVIDE A QUICK UPDATE TO WHAT WE PRESENTED LAST WEEK.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS PROJECT TO THE NEXT APRIL 26 MEETING. THAT IS ON THE AGENDA.
I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT. AND KNOWING THAT CHRIS NUNES HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK TO GET IT TO A PROPOSAL POINT.
SO THANK YOU FOR. THAT I GAVE YOU A HANDOUT TONIGHT BECAUSE THERE IS A GAP BETWEEN NOW AND YOUR NEXT MEETING. JUST TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE OUR LAST DISCUSSION.
SO IN THE URGENCY TO LET OUR RESIDENCES KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS BEING DONE AT THE NEXT VILLAGE ASSOCIATION MEETING, I BELIEVE MIKE CASEY, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE UPDATING THE ASSOCIATION BUT ALSO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT SOMETHING IS GOING FORWARD WITH A DECISION APRIL 26.
I JUST FEEL AN URGENCY TO DO THAT BECAUSE KNOWING THAT YOU GOT A LOT OF THINGS TO DO, SOMETIMES THEY FEEL LEFT OUT.
JUST LIKE YOU HEARD. YOU WILL PROBABLY GET ACCLIMATIONS WHEN WE START PLANTING TREES.
ALSO A SECOND INSPECTION WAS HELD ON SITE BY THE HARRIS COUNTY INSPECTOR. I WAS ABLE TO VISIT WITH HIM, AND HE GAVE ME SOME SOUND AD ADVICE.
HE BASICALLY SAID AS FAR AS THE TREES GO ON THE MOST WESTERN SIDE OF THE DEVELOPMENT, HE S SAID, YOU KNOW, THE TOWNSHIP REALLY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. BUT THE MUD CAN.
THAT IS THEIR PROPERTY. I WAS ABLE TO GO TO THE MUD BOARD MEETING TODAY. WITH MIKE IN PRESENCE.
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THEY ARE FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF PLANTING THE TREES ON THE WOODLANDS PROPERTY. THEY SAID NOPE, WE DON'T NEED TO SIGN AN EASEMENT. WE KNOW IT IS GOING TO GROW OVER ON TO THE EASEMENT. THAT IS FINE.THEY HAVE SEEN THE PICTURE OF A CLUMP THAT EXISTS.
THAT IS GOOD TO GO. AND THEN THEY ALSO TASKED THEIR ENGINEER NOW THAT WE HAVE A PERMIT NUMBER WE ACQUIRED, TO CONTACT HARRIS COUNTY AND GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE STORMWATER PLAN. BECAUSE THE CURRENT GRADE HAS MOST OF THE NEW PROPERTY, THE NEW DEVELOPMENT FLOWING INTO THE EASEMENT. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ENGINEER HAS BEEN ASKED TO LOOK AT THE SURVEY LINES.
YOU CAN TELL WHERE THEY CUT THE BORDER TREES AND THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT. IT IS NOT A STRAIGHT LINE.
AND THE MAPS SHOW IT SHOULD BE A STRAIGHT LINE.
SO HOPEFULLY, WE ARE GOING TO PRESERVE THE TREES THAT THEY STILL LEFT STANDING. THE FINAL THING-- I JUST NOTED DOWN HERE IN CASE ANYBODY NEEDS IT.
AND CHRIS NUNES HAS THIS AS WELL.
THE PERMIT NUMBER IS PROVIDED SO THAT WHEN DECISION-MAKERS, DATA COLLECTORS, ANALYZERS CONTACT HARRIS COUNTY, THEY CAN GET AHOLD OF THE RIGHT PERMIT. OKAY? ON THE BACK SIDE OF YOUR SHEET, REAL QUICKLY, I WILL HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE CONSIDERATIONS GOING FORWARD.
UNDER THE CREEKSIDE REFORESTATION PLANNING, ONCE THE PERMIT IS APPROVED, AND SUPPOSEDLY, IT IS GOING TO BE APPROVED AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH, THERE ARE SEVERAL OUTSTANDING ISSUES. WE KNOW THAT THE DEVELOPER IS HIGHLY MOTIVATED TO GET IT APPROVED.
THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK AT WHAT THEIR PLANS ARE FOR SEWAGE, THE PLANS FOR STORMWATER. WHAT THEIR PLANS ARE FOR TRAFFIC. AND THEN ALSO AN IDEA OF THE SCHEDULE. AT THAT POINT IN TIME, IT IS GOING TO BE UP TO BASICALLY, THE WOODLANDS TO DECIDE WELL, WHAT CAN BE DONE TO LESSEN SOME IMPACT ON THE DEBRIS AND THE DRAINAGE AND THE PREVAILING WIND IS EAST.
WHATEVER IS COMING OFF THAT DUST AREA IS GOING TO COME INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. YOU CAN'T BLOCK IT ALL OUT.
WE ARE NOT ANTI-DEVELOPMENT. WE WANT TO TACKLE THAT AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN. AND THEN I HAVE HIGHLIGHTED HERE THAT WE REALLY NEED A POINT OF CONTACT, SOMEBODY THAT HAS-- YOU KNOW, NOT JUST A RESIDENT. SOMEBODY THAT CAN BRING THE ENTITIES TOGETHER. THE DEVELOPER, HARRIS COUNTY, THE MUD, THE TOWNSHIP, AND THEN THE RESIDENCES AT LARGE THAT ARE REPRESENTED BY THE ASSOCIATION. SO WE CAN ALL BE ON THE SAME PAGE AND MOVE DOWN THE PATH TOGETHER.
I'M HOPEFUL, I AM REALLY HOPEFUL THAT THE DEVELOPER WILL ACTUALLY TAKE SOME INPUT FROM THE WOODLANDS ON-- IT IS GOOD TO HAVE A BOUNDARY PROBABLY ALONG THE GOSLING ROAD AS WELL AS IN THE BACK. YOU KNOW, FOR AESTHETICS.
AND BEING PART OF NATURE. I SEE IT AS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
UNDER THE SCHEDULE, IT IS JUST TO KEEP THINGS IN FOCUS.
MAY IS GOING TO BE A BUSY MONTH, ANTICIPATING APPROVAL WILL BE GAINED FOR PLANNING OF SOME FOLIAGE.
AND AT THAT SAME TIME, THE MUD HAS SOME PROJECTS RELATING TO THEIR STORMWATER DRAINAGE, AND THAT WILL HAVE TO BE COORDINATED. I'M SURE CHRIS WILL GET WITH THEM ON. THAT THEY WILL BE READY TO RECEIVE THAT AND COORDINATE. AND THEN JUNE AND JULY IS WHEN SOMEBODY WITH AUTHORITY NEEDS TO TEST AND MAKE SURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS HOLDING THE DEVELOPER TO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. MAKE SURE IT IS UNFOLDING LIKE IT IS PERMITTED. I HAVE DOWN HERE IN OCTOBER, I LEARNED THIS PAST WEEK, THERE IS PROBABLY OUTSIDE FUNDING.
OUTSIDE THE WOODLANDS. TO WORK WITH THE DEVELOPER FOR PLANNING OF TREES OVER ON THEIR EASEMENT.
SO THERE IS SOME GROUPS THAT WE CAN REACH OUT.
I'LL TAKE THISH INIVE IN GETTING THAT STARTED.
AND THEN 2024, THE VISION IS, IF THEY ARE DONE THAT QUICKLY OR AT THE END OF THE DEVELOPMENT, ACTUALLY, THAT PUTS SOME TREES IN ON THE BANK OF THE DRAINAGE EASEMENT ON THEIR SIDE.
OKAY? SO WE WILL HAVE A FOREST LOOK AGAIN THERE. THAT IS THE UPDATE.
I HOPE THIS IS USEFUL TO YOU. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> WE ARE NOT AT LIBERTY TO DISCUSS SINCE IT IS ON THE AGENDA. WE THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION
AND ALSO THE HANDOUT. >> OKAY.
>> WE WILL BE GETTING PACK. >> THANK YOU.
>> THAT BRINGS US TO SPEAKER NUMBER THREE, ANNE PERRY.
[00:25:01]
THANK YOU. >> YOU ARE WELCOME.
>> SO I THINK NEXT ON THE LIST IS JILL.
IF I GO OVER MY THREE MINUTES, SHE SAID I COULD HAVE HER THREE
>> SO I'M ANNE PERRY. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS. I'M SPEAKING AGAINST THE PLANNED BATHROOMS IN OUR CAPSTONE PARK. ON FEBRUARY 16, 2023, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP VOTED 6-1 TO ADD TOILETS AT A COST OF $300,000 PLUS WHICH GOES AGAINST THE MAJORITY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS' WISHES. THE PARK HAS NEVER HAD BATHROOMS AFTER 27 YEARS. WE DON'T NEED THEM NOW.
IT IS A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY AND ESPECIALLY NOW, WITH THE INFLATION AT A 40-YEAR HIGH. WE STARTED A PETITION ON CHANGE.ORG. YOU CAN GOOGLE IT OR STOP THE CAPSTONE BATHROOMS. SIGN THE PETITION.
WE HAVE OVER 430 SIGNATURES IN ONE WEEK.
AND STILL GROWING. WE HAVE GIVEN YOU OPTIONS TO SPEND THOSE FUNDS AT OTHER PARKS LIKE GROGAN'S MILL, GEORGE MITCHELL PAVILION. FUNDS SHOULD BE BETTER SERVED AND USED AT THOSE LOCATIONS WHICH HAS MORE VISITORS THAN OTHER AREAS SURROUNDED BY PARKS. YOU LISTEN TO-- YOU LISTEN AND HONOR OTHER RESIDENTS' WISHES LIKE SOLVING THE LOW WATER LEVEL AT A NEIGHBORHOOD POND BY DIVERTING SURF WATER FROM A LAKE. YOU HAVE STARTED IN THE PAST.
IN THE PAST, YOU HAVE SAID IN GOOD FAITH, ATTEMPT TO SAY IT TO GIVE RESIDENTS WHAT THEY WANT. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING THAT WE WERE-- WE CONTINUE TO ASK, AND YOU IGNORE OUR REQUESTS.
REMEMBER, YOU ARE ELECTED BY THE RESIDENTS OF THIS COMMUNITY, AND YOU ARE NOT LISTENING. EVERY BOARD MEMBER CAMPAIGNED ON "WE LISTEN TO THE RESIDENTS." I MET WITH DR. SNYDER THREE WEEKS AGO AND STILL WAITING FOR SOME TYPE OF COMPROMISE.
WHEN CAN WE HAVE A-- WHEN CAN WE MEET WITH THE BOARD AND PARK DEPARTMENT TO REVIEW THESE PLANS? LET'S BE TRANSPARENT. THE BOARD SHOULD HOLD A NEIGHBORHOOD TOWNSHIP MEETING TO HEAR ALL OTHER RESIDENTS AND SEE AND HEAR ALL THE OPINIONS. WISHING TO LEAVE CAPSTONE PARK, OUR SMALL LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD PARK WITHOUT TOILETS.
WE ARE PLANNING TO USE-- YOU ARE PLANNING TO USE OUR TOWNSHIP TAXES AGAINST OUR WISHES. PLEASE CONSIDER, AS THIS IS NOT WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THE RESIDENTS OF CAPSTONE WANT.
WE DESERVE TO BE HEARD AND OUR WISHES DESERVE TO BE RESPECTED.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, AND COME TO THE TABLE WITH A COMPROMISE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ANNE. AND IS THERE A TIME? MADAM-- MONIQUE SHARPE? IS THERE TIME LEFTOVER FOR JILL
PIERCE TO COME AND SPEAK? >> YES.
THANK YOU, JILL. THAT LEAVES US TO OUR LAST PUBLIC COMMENT. MR. MAGERT.
WE HAVE MISSED YOU. >> I HAD SOMETHING TO DO LAST WEEK. I'M SORRY I WASN'T HERE.
MY NAME IS KENT MAGERT. I ACTUALLY WATCHED THE VIDEO, AND I NOTICED THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION UP HERE, A LENGTHY DISCUSSION ABOUT SUB SIDENCE.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS, AND I HAVE ASKED A QUESTION TO THE BOARD IF THEY KNEW HOW MUCH MONEY AND HOW MUCH WATER THEY USE FOR IRRIGATION THAT IS ACTUALLY POTABLE DRINKING WATER, PURCHASED FROM THE MUDZ.
ANYWAY, I GOT THAT NUMBER FROM THE MUDS.
AND FOR THE TEN MUDS, THE TOWNSHIP PURCHASES 143 MILLION GALLONS OF WELL WATER AND SERVICE WATT-- SURFACE WATER.
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TWO-THIRDS WELL WATER. ONE-THIRD WELL WATER.THEY PAID $800,000 FOR THAT. THAT IS ON THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SIDE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT-- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE ON THE CREEK SIDE.
PROBABLY YOU ARE SPENDING A MILLION DOLLARS ON POTABLE DRINKING WATER THAT COMES FROM DEEP WELLS THAT ARE ATTRIBUTED TO SUBSIDENCE. KEEP THAT IN MIND.
NOW, YOU KNOW, IF EVERYBODY WANTS THE GREEN GRASS, AND I LIKE THE GREEN GRASS, IN FACT, I HAVE MADE A COMMENT THAT I'M IN FAVOR OF IT. THE NEXT THING IS THAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW THAT IF YOU OWN AN ACRE OF GROUND IN THE WOODLANDS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, YOU CAN DRILL YOUR OWN WATER WELL.
ANYBODY KNOW THAT? I WAS ON THE MUD BOARD ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO WHEN THEY WERE BUILDING THE SURFACE WATER PLANT. WE TRIED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, IF THEY WANTED TO, TO DRILL THEIR OWN WATER WELL.
BECAUSE IT TAKES PRESSURE OFF OF THE PUBLIC SYSTEM, AND OF COURSE, THAT WATER IS NOT TREATED.
AND THE REASON I BRING THIS UP IS THESE EIGHT OR NINE WELLS THAT SUPPLY THESE PONDS ARE FROM THE SAME SHALLOW RESERVOIR, SAME SHALLOW RESERVOIR AS THE PEOPLE THAT PUMP WATER FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL USE. SO PUMPING WATER FROM THE SHALLOW WELLS ON THESE PONDS IS NOT AN ISSUE.
SO THE LAST THING I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS WE ARE ABOUT TEN YEARS BEHIND A LOT OF COMMUNITIES ON USING RECLAIMED WATER. WE HAVE A READY ACCESS HERE IN THE WOODLANDS. WE HAVE A WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT THAT DUMPS RIGHT INTO LAKE WOODLANDS.
I POINTED OUT ONE TIME AS PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THE LAKE STAYS FULL BECAUSE THAT PLANT DUMPS ABOUT FOUR MILLION GALLONS OF WATER EVERY DAY. WHETHER IT IS RAINING OR NOT.
SO THAT-- IF YOU WILL NOTICE, A DAM DOWN THERE NEXT TO THE WOODLANDS PARKWAY, ALMOST ALWAYS HAS WATER RUNNING OVER IT.
YOU HAVE TO-- YOU HAVE A SOURCE FOR RECLAIMED WATER.
THE TOWNSHIP BOARD COULD LOOK INTO THAT.
YOU ARE SPENDING A MILLION DOLLARS, AND THERE IS A SOURCE FOR RECLAIMED WATER. AND I DON'T HAVE TIME TONIGHT, BUT I'LL BRING YOU SOME INFORMATION, AND WE'VE GOT THE GOLF COURSES USING RECLAIMED WATER.
WE HAVE SOUTH MONTGOMERY COUNTY MUD NEXT-DOOR TO US TO THE EAST
THAT HAS RECLAIMED WATER SYSTEM. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAGERT.
>> THANK YOU, ANNE. >> THANK YOU.
[6. Receive, consider and act upon reports from Village Association representatives;]
THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENT.WE WILL BRING US TO AGENDA ITEM 6, TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM OUR VILLAGE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES.
FIRST, MARIAN FOR ALDENBRIDGE. ALWAYS NICE TO SEE ONE OF OUR MOST LOYAL. MOST LOYAL PRESIDENTS.
>> GOOD EVENING, CHAIRWOMAN SNYDER AND DIRECTORS.
AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALDENS CAN BRIDGE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON OUR ACTIVITIES.
WE HELD OUR ANNUAL MEETING ON MARCH 21.
WE RECEIVED A LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT FROM SPECIALIST MCKEE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK DIRECTOR FRANKS WHO GAVE US A BRIEF UPDATE ON TOWNSHIP ACTIVITIES. A RESIDENT ATTENDED THE MEETING AND EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY AT THE INTERSECTION OF RESEARCH FOREST AND CROWN RIDGE AND THE ACCIDENTS THAT OCCUR THERE DUE TO THE YELLOW BLINKING TURN LIGHT.
SHE LIVES IN EAGLE MEAD AND STATED THERE IS AN INCREASE IN TRAFFIC THROUGH HER SUBDIVISION AS DRIVERS ARE CUTTING THROUGH AT AN INCREASED SPEED TO AVOID THE INTERSECTION.
I HAVE CONTACTED JAMES NOWAK FROM PRECINCT 3 ABOUT THE LIGHT.
AND CHARLES RILEY FROM PRECINCT 2 AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT THE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC IN EAGLE MEAD.
WE SEATED THE BOARD FOR THIS YEAR.
I'M EXCITED TO HAVE ALL OF OUR POSITIONS FILLED.
JOHN BROWN AND RONALD RESIGNED FROM THE BOARD.
I THANK THEM FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BOARD AND THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS JUSTIN BUTTERFIELD, PRICE NEWTON AND MICHAEL WHAT LARRY.
[00:35:03]
>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE RECEIVED TEN APPLICATIONS, SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AND OUR SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE. MEMBERS ARE REVIEWING THE APPLICATIONS. WE PLAN TO DETERMINE THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS AT OUR NEXT MEETING.
WE ARE PLANNING A POOL PARTY AT THE ALDENBRIDGE POOL ON SATURDAY, JUNE 3, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M.
ADMISSION TO THE POOL IS FREE, AND THERE WILL BE EENTERTAINERS AND SNACKS. I WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION NEBS MONTH. AS WE SETTLE THINGS.
SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS VOLUNTEERED FOR THE GREEN-UP ON MARCH 25 TO EARN FUNDS FOR OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND AS USUAL, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY MORNING IN THE WOODLANDS AGAIN. TO BE OUT IN THE FOREST.
WE ALL HAD A GREAT TIME. OUR NEXT MEETING IS ON TUESDAY, APRIL 11, AND OUR SPEAKER WILL BE PRECINCT 2, COMMISSIONER RILEY. HE WILL BE GIVING US AN UPDATE ON THE ROAD PROJECTS IN OUR AREA AND SEVERAL OF THOSE AFFECT ALDENBRIDGE. THE EXPANSION OF FOUR LANES.
1488. 242 AND DISCUSSION ABOUT RESEARCH FOREST. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, PLEASE SEND IT TO US TO ABVAINFO AT GMAIL.COM.
RESIDENTS CAN MAKE COMMENTS DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE AGENDA. THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION OFFICERS HAVE A MEETING SCHEDULED FOR P.M.
AND THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL WITH THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION, PRESIDENTS WILL BE ONE OF THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
I SEE THAT IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING.
AND THAT INCLUDES MY REPORT. >> THANK YOU, AS ALWAYS,
>> AND THAT BRINGS US TO COCHRAN'S CROSSING.
TRICIA CONTINUE TOO. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRWOMAN SNYDER.
DIRECTORS, I WOULD LIKE TO UPDATE YOU ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COCHRAN'S CROSSING WITTAGE ASSOCIATION.
SINCE MY LAST UPDATE, WE HELD OUR FIRST SIP AND SUPPORT WINE TASTING WITH OUR PARTNER KROGER. I WANTED TO THANK DIRECTOR NELSON FOR ATTENDING AND OUR TRIAL RUN.
OUR AMAZING PARTNER KROGER AND SPECIFICALLY, SHERRY DIEHL FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR MAKING THE EVENING POSSIBLE.
THANKS TO THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT, THE CCVA WILL BE ABLE TO AWARD ANOTHER SCHOLARSHIP THIS YEAR TO A DESERVING SENIOR.
IT WAS A POPULAR EVENT. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO SELL TICKETS ON THE WEB PAGE SO.
MANY PEOPLE REACHED OUT FOR TICKETS BEFORE WE OFFERED THEM.
WE HOPE TO UPDATE YOU SOON. IF Y YOU ARE A HIGH SCHOOL SENI, THE DEADLINE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP IS APRIL 19.
FIND THE APPLICATION ON OUR WEB PAGE.
COCHRAN'SCROSSING.ORG. WE HELD THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW TERM LAST NIGHT. WE WILL BE ELECTING OFFICERS AT OUR APRIL MEETING. BOARD MEMBERS ARE HARD AT WORK ON A GAME NIGHT FOR RESIDENTS. WE WILL BE HOLDING THIS AT TORCHY'S TACOS. WE ARE PLANNING OUR POOL PARTY ALSO ON JUNE 3. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LITTLE COMPETITION WITH ALDENBRIDGE HERE.
WE DID BUMP OUR MEETINGS UP TO 6:30.
THEY USED TO BE AT 7:00. BY THE WAY.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND. THEY ARE HELD AT THE TOWNSHIP OFFICES ON THE FOURTH TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH.
WE ARE A FULL GROUP. IT IS A GREAT WAY TO GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TH THE CCVA OR ACTIVITIES, PLEASE VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR WEB PAGE. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, TRICIA.
TED STANLEY, WANTED ME TO LET YOU KNOW HE IS SORRY HE IS NOT HERE. HE IS IN LOUISIANA.
MIKE, DO YOU WANT TO GIVE CREEKSIDE PARK?
>> I WASN'T HERE AT THE LAST MEETING.
I REALLY DON'T KNOW -- >> OKAY.
THANK YOU. AND THAT BRINGS US TO STERLING RIDGE. TOM, NICE TO HAVE YOU.
WELCOME HOME. HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT TRIP.
>> I DID. >> TOWNSHIP DIRECTORS, TOWNSHIP STAFF, MENTION OF THE AUDIENCE, THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP TONIGHT. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING A SPIRIT OF UNITY. I KNOW EVERYONE HERE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TOWNSHIP STAFF, WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS, AND WE ARE ALL-- WE HAVE A COMMON GOAL. WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE WOODLANDS A BITTER PLACE TO LIVE.
I THANK YOU FOR THAT. I REPRESENT THE STERLING RIDGE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION. MY NAME IS TOM SCHWARTZ COUGH.
IN FEBRUARY, WE HAD OUR ELECTIONS.
WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO TWO OF OUR DIRECTORS.
JASON PISH AND EDUARDO. WE SAD GOOD-BYE TO THEM.
[00:40:07]
WE WELCOMED TWO NEW DIRECTORS. JOE ROMANSKI AND JUAN GOMEZ.WE HAVE NOW A FULL SLATE OF 15 DIRECTORS.
I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE ARE ALL MOTIVATED AND WITH A FULL PLATE LIKE THAT, I THINK A LOT WILL GET DONE IN STERLING RIDGE THIS YEAR. IN MARCH, WE ELECTED OUR OFFICERS. ALL OFFICERS WHO WERE FORMER OFFICERS ARE NOW STILL CURRENT OFFICERS.
INCLUDING MYSELF. IN APRIL, WE WILL BE AWARDING GRANTS TO THE THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITHIN STERLING RIDGE.
WE ALWAYS GIVE GRANTS EVERY Y YEAR.
APPROXIMATELY $2,000 TO SUPPORT THE KIDS.
WE WILL ALSO BE GIVING OUT SCHOLARSHIPS THIS YEAR.
THIS WILL BE OUR SECOND YEAR FOR GIVING OUT SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO ARE GOING ON TO COLLEGE.
LAST YEAR, WE GAVE OUT FOUR, AND WE EXPECT TO GIVE OUT AT LEAST FOUR THIS YEAR. YOU MAY BE WONDERING HOW WE GAIN OUR FUNDS FOR THESE SCHOLARSHIPS AND ALSO THESE GRANTS TO THE SCHOOLS. WE HOLD FUND-RAISING EVENTS, AND IN APRIL, WE HAVE A FISHING TOURNAMENT FOR THE KIDS.
AND SPONSORS PROVIDE THAT MONEY FOR THAT.
IN JUNE, WE HAVE A GOLF TOURNAMENT.
IF YOU ARE A GOLF PLAYER AND YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN A GOLF TOURNAMENT, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME OUT.
AND CONTACT US AND COME OUT AND PLAY.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE. >> WELL, WELL-DONE.
THANK YOU, TOM. AND ROBBIE, IT IS ALWAYS NICE THAT YOU ALSO ARE HERE SUPPORTING STERLING RIDGE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION IS. A THERE A MOTION AND SECOND TO
RECEIVE AND FILE THE REPORT? >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL NOSE FAVOR, SIGNIFY
[7. Receive, consider and act upon proclamations; ]
THAT BRINGS US TO A VERY SPECIAL TIME THIS EVENING.
TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL, 2023 AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP. DR. JERRY NASH WHO IS PRESIDENT OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD IS HERE TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION. I NOW CALL ON DIRECTOR WATSON TO
READ THE PROCLAMATION. >> MY PLEASURE.
BE IT PROCLAIMED WHEREAS IN THE WOODLANDS, WE BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN SHOULD THRIVE IN SAFE, STABLE, AND YOU ARE IN NURTURING FAMILIES AND THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO BUILD STRONG PREVENTION SYSTEMS AS PART OF A ROBUST FAMILY WELL-BEING SYSTEM THAT NOT ONLY SUPPORTS FAMILIES IN A CRISIS BUT IS INTENTIONAL IN SUPPORTING FAMILIES BEFORE THEY ARE IN A CRISIS.
AND WHEREAS THE UNIVERSAL CHALLENGES FACED OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS HAVE COMPOUNDED THE STRUGGLES CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WERE ALREADY FACING AND HEIGHTENED THE URGENCY FOR US TO CONSIDER WHAT A ROBUST FAMILY WELL-BEING SYSTEM SHOULD LOOK LIKE. AND WHEREAS EACH YEAR, THE MONTH OF APRIL IS DEDICATED TO RECOGNIZING THE CRITICAL WORK BEING DONE ACROSS OUR GREAT STATE TO MEET FAMILIES UPSTREAM BEFORE A CRISIS OCCURS AND OFFER THEM ACCESSIBLE LIFE LINES THAT MITIGATE THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
AND WHEREAS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION OCCURS EVERY DAY THROUGH THE DILIGENT WORK AND TIRELESS ADVOCACY UNDERTAKEN BY FAMILIES, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, HOUSES OF FAITH, ADVOCACY GROUPS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. AND WHEREAS THROUGH ESTABLISHING PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILIES THAT BENEFIT, THE COLLECTIVE STRENGTHS OF PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN, WE CAN BUILD STRONG, HEALTHY AND RESILIENT FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WHERE CHILDREN CAN THRIVE. AND WHEREAS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION CANNOT BE TASKED TO ONE COMMUNITY AGENCY OR SYSTEM.
WE MUST ALL WORK TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND BUILD LOCALIZED SUPPORT THAT IS ACCESSIBLE, CONTRIBUTES TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, AND KEEPS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SAFE AND TOGETHER. NOW, THEREFORE, DR. SNYDER IS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 23 AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS.
>> AND WOULD LIKE TO ASK JERRY, YOU AND SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS, TO COME UP AND ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION ON BEHALFOS OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP. (APPLAUSE).
[00:45:01]
>> THANK YOU. >> I THINK YOU HAVE SOMEONE VERY IMPORTANT. (LAUGHTER).
>> THANK YOU. >> I ALMOST BECAME MR. WATSON.
>> I DON'T WANT HER CHAIR. (LAUGHTER).
>> I THINK ALL OF US CAN THANK JERRY NASH AND HIS BOARD FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO TO ENSURE THAT OUR MOST PRECIOUS ARE
[ CONSENT AGENDA]
SAFEGUARDED. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING THIS EVENING. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 8.TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ARE NON-CONTROVERSIAL, HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS REQUIRED BY LAW AND WILL BE 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 BY ANY BOARD MEMBER PRIOR TO TAKING A VOTE ON THE MOTION. THERE ARE NINE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. PLEASE REFER TO PAGES 6-1404.
IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. DISCUSSION.
>> YES, MA'AM. MADAM CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO PULL OUT 8D AND 8E. PLEASE.
>> OKAY. THEN ALSO STAFF HAS ASKED US TO DEFER C. SO IS THERE-- IS THERE AN AMENDMENT, DIRECTOR WATSON AND DIRECTOR BAILEY? TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM?
WITHOUT C, D, AND E. >> SO MOVED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
[d. Receive, consider and act upon affirmation of appointments to the Village Presidents’ Council to the Board of Directors;]
AGENDA ITEM C IS DEFERRED UNTIL THE 4-26 MEETING.THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM D, DEALING WITH THE VILLAGE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL. DIRECTORS GIBBS.
>> AS I CALLED THE PRESIDENT SHARPE EARLIER TODAY TO JUST ASK FOR-- ACTUALLY, IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY, TO HAVE A READING OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN THIS ITEM SO THAT THE RESIDENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE ACTUAL NITTY-GRITTY OF THIS NEW
INITIATIVE. >> WE DISCUSSED IT AT OUR LAST
MEETING IN FULL DETAIL. >> YES, MA'AM.
WE DID. WE ARE VOTING ON IT TONIGHT.
THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO WEREN'T LISTENING LAST MONTH.
I THINK IT IS REASONABLE. >> TONIGHT WE ARE VOTING ON THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE VILLAGE COUNCIL.
THIS BOARD APPROVED THE VILLAGE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL AT OUR LAST
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> IT IS UP ON THE AGENDA AGAIN.
I THOUGHT IT WAS WORTH MENTIONING.
AT YOUR MEETING LAST WEEK, YOU DID-- THE BOARD DID APPROVE A VILLAGE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL, AND THE DISCUSSION THERE, WHICH IS WHAT IS OUTLINED HERE IN THE PACKAGE AND IS AVAILABLE ON-LINE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE IS THAT EACH VILLAGE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT ALONG WITH A DIRECTOR AND AN ALTERNATE AND A STAFF PERSON WHICH, AS I MENTIONED LAST WEEK WILL BE ME, AT LEAST INITIALLY, IF NOT FOR THE DURATION, WILL MEET ON $THE FIRST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 6:00 P.M. HERE AT THE TOWNSHIP OFFICES.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF TO DISCUSS ITEMS THAT ARE IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY.
EITHER FROM VILLAGE ASSOCIATION SPECIFIC OR AS A WHOLE AND TO DISCUSS THAT AND THEN THE COUNCIL DOES NOT HAVE ANY BUDGETARY POWERS, DOES NOT HAVE DECISION-MAKING POWERS.
IT IS JUST A FORM-- IT IS JUST A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.
[00:50:06]
TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ALL OF THE GROUPS, AND THEN DIRECTOR FRANKS, ASSUMING THAT IS WHO HIS APPOINTMENT IS AFFIRMED TONIGHT WILL REPORT BACK ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGARDING THE DISCUSSION.>> MONIQUE, IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'M GOING TO ASK A QUESTION.
JUST BASED ON MY KNOWLEDGE OF OUR DISCUSSION AND MEMBER FRANKS' INTENTIONS. BASICALLY, TO HAVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN ALL THE VILLAGE PRESIDENTS TALKING ABOUT COMMON THINGS THEY FACE. WHETHER IT IS AN ISSUE OF STREET-CROSSING OR STREET SIGNAGE OR THE BEST WAYS TO FUND-RAISE WITH FISHING AND GOLF TOURNAMENTS LIKE OUR FRIENDS IN STERLING RIDGE DO. TO GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS OR TO DO GRANTS TO LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
IT IS ALL ABOUT COLLABORATION AND PUTTING OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST TO PUT THEIR HEADS TOGETHER, TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN TACKLE ISSUES. AM I CORRECT IN THAT ASSUMPTION?
>> YES, SIR. YOU SAID IT WAY BETTER THAN I DID. THAT IS EXACTLY CORRECT.
>> I HAVE HEARD RICHARD TALK ABOUT IT A LOT.
>> YES. >> I THINK WE ALL HAVE.
OKAY. IS THERE A MOTION TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE INFORMATION OF APPOINTMENTS TO THE VILLAGE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED BY BAILEY. SECONDED BY SEKULA-GIBBS.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THAT BRINGS US-- THANK YOU,
[e. Receive, consider and act upon an Annexation and Assignment Instrument related to Aria Isle; ]
PRESIDENT SHARPE. TO CONSENT AGENDA ITEM E.RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON AN ANNEXATION AND ASSIGNMENT RELATED TO AREA AISLE. THE PROPOSED INSTRUMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP AS SUCCESSOR TO THE WOOPPEDLANDS-- WOODLANDS LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY WOULD DELEGATE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR AREA ISLE TO THE ASSOCIATION.
DIRECTORS GIBBS, YOU PULLED IT. >> I'M GOING TO RECUSE MYSELF
WELL, THEN IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT?
>> I BELIEVE-- I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR DR. SEKULA-GIBBS.
SSHE IS RECUSING HERSELF BECAUSE OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PARTICULAR AREA OF EAST SHORE.
>> I UNDERSTAND SHE WANTS TO -- >> OKAY.
>> SHE IS THE ONE WHO PULLED IT FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> CORRECT. WE HAVE LOST OUR QUORUM HERE.
UNTIL DR. SEKULA-GIBBS RETURNS. >> OKAY.
>> CAN WE GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND?
>> WE CANNOT. UNTIL SHE RETURNS.
>> OKAY. >> IS THIS DUE TO A CONFLICT OF
INTEREST? >> I'M GOING TO RECUSE MYSELF.
>> THEN WE CAN'T VOTE ON IT. >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> ON WHAT BASIS? >> IT IS IRRELEVANT.
>> WELL, NO. >> TO YOU, IT IS IRRELEVANT.
MY CHOICE TO RECUSE IS PERSONAL. A PERSONAL CHOICE.
THAT IS NEW TO ME. >> WE WILL BRING IT BACK ON THE
4-26 -- >> I THINK WHAT WE VOTE ON AND WHETHER WE ARE VOTING IS RELEVANT TO EVERYBODY.
INCLUDING MYSELF. >> MY APOLOGIES TO ANY INTERESTED PARTY WHO MAY BE HERE FOR THE ITEM.
I WAS UNAWARE THAT THERE WOULD BE-- I CAN'T HELP THE FACT
THAT -- >> WE ARE GOING TO DEFER IT UNTIL APRIL 26, 2023. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[9. Receive, consider and act upon the financial report;]
>> IT IS NOT A QUORUM. >> THEN WITH THAT, THAT BRINGS US TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA. I REFER TO PAGES 145-161.
STAFF HAS PREPARED THE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE TWO MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2023. WE ARE ALWAYS PLEASED TO SEE OUR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE WHO IS HERE TO PRESENT.
>> YOU HAVE ALL THE TIME. NO WORRIES.
THIS EVENING, I'LL BE PRESENTING THE TOWNSHIP FINANCIALS FOR THE TWO MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY, 2023.
OUR FIRST SLIDE IS A SUMMARY OF THE BUDGET-TO-ACTUAL REVENUE.
THE YEAR TO DATE BUDGETED REVENUE IS $53.7 MILLION.
THE YEAR-TO-DATE ACTUAL IS $58.2 MILLION.
[00:55:03]
FOR A POSITIVE VARIANCE OF $4.5 MILLION.THE $4.5 MILLION, APPROXIMATELY $1.6 MILLION CONTRIBUTES JUST TO THE HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED TAX COLLECTIONS AND THE SALES TAX, ADMISSION TAX AND HOTEL TAX. THAT IS LLS A TIMING OF WHEN THE PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS WERE BUDGETED SO THAT IS SHOWING A POSITIVE VARIANCE OF $2 MILLION. WE ALSO HAD A LITTLE HIGHER INTEREST RATES THAN WE ANTICIPATED WHEN WE BUDGETED LAST YEAR. AN INCREASE IN PROGRAM REVENUE FROM THE BUDGET. OUR NEXT SLIDE IS THE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES. FOR THE OPERATING ACCOUNT.
YEAR-TO-DATE BUDGET IS $15.5 MILLION.
YEAR-TO-DATE SPENT IS $13.8 MILLION.
FOR A FAVORABLE VARIANCE OF $1.7 MILLION.
THE TWO MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THIS VARIANCE IS TIMING OF EXPENDITURES WHICH IS COMMON THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE BUDGET.
TRYING TO PINPOINT WHEN WE ARE GOING TO SPEND.
WE DID HAVE SOME VACANCIES IN STAFFING POSITIONS.
STARTING OUT THE YEAR. THESE ARE ALL SET BY-- OFF-SET BY THE HIGHER-THAN-BUDGETED PARTICIPATION PAYMENTS.
DUE TO THE HIGHER COLLECTION IN SALES TAX.
NEXT SLIDE IS SALES TAX DEPOSIT. THE YEAR-TO-DATE BUDGETED THROUGH MARCH IS $18 MILLION. THE ACTUAL CHECKED IS $19.7 MILLION. FOR A FAVORABLE VARIANCE OF $1.6 MILLION. IF YOU ARE COMPARING TO '22, THAT IS $1.7 MILLION MORE COLLECTED IN '23.
THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS IN GRAPH FORM, THE VARIANCE OF THE $1.7 MILLION. IT SHOWS IT BY CATEGORY.
THE FIRST SIX CATEGORIES IS KIND OF THE AREAS THAT THE TAX COLLECTION WAS MORE IN '23 THAN '22.
THAT IS IN WHOLESALE TRADE, MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION, RETAIL TRADE, TRANSPORTATION, AND WAREHOUSING.
AND ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES.
THIS IS OFF-SET BY PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SERVICES THAT WENT DOWN SLIGHTLY IN '23 FROM '22. TEXAS IS DOING WELL AS A WHOLE.
IN MARCH, THEY ALLOCATED $1 BILLION TO THE DIFFERENT STATE ELSE IS TAX RECIPIENT. THAT IS UP ALMOST 9% FROM THE YEAR TO DATE LAST YEAR. THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX REPORT IS THROUGH FEBRUARY. THE YEAR-TO-DATE BUDGETED IS-- YEAH. $8.9 $1 MILLION.
THE ACTUAL COLLECTED IS $1.1 MILLION FOR A FAVORABLE VARIANCE OF A LITTLE OVER $109,000. IF YOU ARE COMPARING THAT TO
'22, IT IS ABOUT $188,000 OVER. >> WELL, YOU ALWAYS BRING GREAT NEWS. WE WILL OPEN IT.
LET ME CALL FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND.
THEN WE WILL HAVE DISCUSSION. >> SO MOVED.
>> IS THERE A SECOND IN. >> SECOND.
QUESTIONS? >> YOU ALWAYS BRING SUCH GREAT NEWS. WE APPRECIATE THAT.
>> I HEAR FROM NICK THAT NEXT MONTH IS GOING TO BE-- THIS
MONTH WILL BE EVEN BETTER >> THAT IS GREAT.
>> OH, WE WILL HOLD YOU IT TO. >> I KNOW.
THAT IS WHY I CALLED HIM OUT ON IT.
(LAUGHTER). >> IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, MOTION BY DIRECTOR BAILEY.
SECONDED BY VICE CHAIRMAN WATSON.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
BRINGS US TO-- THANK YOU, AS ALWAYS, KELLEN.
BRINGS US TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> NOPE.
[10. Receive, consider and act upon a proposal from Quiddity to prepare a Texas Department of Transportation grant (SH 242/Harper’s Landing pathway); ]
REFER YOU TO PAGES 162-174. STAFF IS REQUESTING APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL FROM QUIDDITY THAT WAS FORMERLY JONES & CARTER TO PREPARE A GRANT RELATED TO A SIDE PATH CONNECTING THE HARPER'S LANDING COMMUNITY WHICH WOULD EXTEND TO FM1488 ON 242 OR COLLEGE PARK DRIVE. AND CONNECT TO THE OVERALL PATHWAY SYSTEM. I'M GLAD YOU ARE STILL HERE, VIVIAN. DR. NUNES, OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER WILL PRESENT. GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIRMAN SNYDER.
EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT.
WE WANT TO STEP BACK A LITTLE BIT.
ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, WE FIRST GOT NOTICE THAT THE TXDOT WAS LOOKING TO EXPAND 242. THAT IS WHERE WE SAW THE OPPORTUNITY TO FINALLY TRY TO CONNECT HARPER'S LANDING
[01:00:02]
COMMUNITY BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING AT THE OTHER END.WE COULD BRING A PATHWAY TO 45, BUT WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO CLIMB, I THINK, ALL THE WAY TO COLLEGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL.
IN TERMS OF MANAGING COST, IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY-- AN OPPORTUNE TIME. OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE HARPER'S LANDING CONNECTOR AND THE 242 CONNECTOR AS WELL. THERE WAS ANOTHER PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THE EXPANSION. ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS DISCUSSED THAT TODAY. SOME ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT WERE REMOVED. ONE OF THEM BEING THE SIDE PATH.
A LOT OF THAT FUZZ WEST... A LOT OF THAT DISCUSSION WAS ABOUT HOW CLOSE THE PATH WAS TO THE TRAFFIC, VERSUS TEN FEET OFF.
THE OVERALL GOAL OF TRYING TO PUT A SIDE PATH IN THE FOREST RESERVES OR PRESERVES AND KEEP IT MORE WOODLANDS-LIKE FROM THAT STANDPOINT. THE TX-DOT REACHED OUT TO US AFTER THE ELEMENT WAS REMOVED FROM THE OVERALL PROJECT, AND IDENTIFIED A 2023 TRANSPORTATION GRANT.
THIS IS A TX-DOT GRANT. THTHIS IS NOT AN HGAC GRANT.
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE THERE. WE HAVE APPLIED TO HGAC.
THIS IS A DIFFERENT POT OF MONEY.
AND SINCE THINK APPROACHED US, WE FELT POSITIVE ABOUT MOVING FORWARD WITH A LETTER OF INTENT. THAT IS A FIRST-LEVEL-- IT DOES NOT COMMIT THE BOARD TO ANYTHING.
WE DID GET SOME ENCOURAGEMENT TO MOVE FORWARD.
ACTUALLY, I JUST GOT AN EMAIL TODAY ABOUT OUR APPLICATION STATUS OF GETTING IT IN. I WAS PLEADED ABOUT THAT.
OVERALL, THE PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN. VIVIAN SAID SOMETHING VERY WELL THAT I'M GOING TO STEAL HERE. A FAMILY FREEWAY.
THIS CREATES THAT LINKAGE OF FAMILIES UP AND DOWN THE 242 CORRIDOR TO GET TO THE SHOPPING AREAS AND VICE VERSA AND FOR OUR FAMILIES OUT IN HARP E'S LANDING TO CONNECT TO THE REMAINDER OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL. THE POT OF MONEY IS ABOUT $250 MILLION. GUESS WHAT? THAT DOES NOT GO F WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PROJECTS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT IS A 20% MATCH.
RIGHT NOW, OUR PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE, THERE IS $5.3 MILLION ARE PUTTING IN. YOU ALSO HAVE TO GET INTO SOME OF THE HARDWARE FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALIZATION.
THIS IS NOT A NORMAL PATHWAY THAT MIGHT BE $80 TO $100 A LINEAR FOOT WHEN YOU ARE AT EIGHT TO TEN FEET WIDE.
THAT IS WHY THE COST IS A LITTLE BIT MORE.
WE HAVE WORKED FOR FINANCING IN THE COUNTY.
THE BOARD EARMARKED $700,000 ALREADY.
WE INTEND TO USE THAT AS PART OF THE MATCH AS WELL AS SOME CAPITAL RESERVE DOLLARS, VARIOUS SAVINGS AND OUR CURRENT CAPITAL PROJECTS. WE BELIEVE THAT THE GRANT-WRITING THAT WE ARE REQUESTING CAN BE USED AS A PARTIAL OF THE MATCH, TOO. THE QUIDDITY PROPOSAL, MORE FAMILIAR WITH JONES & CARTER. THEY WROTE THE BIKE AND THEIR BASE PROPOSAL AT THIS POINT IS $84,000.
WE WANTED A CONTINGENCY IN THERE.
WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE ACTUAL APPLICATION RIGHT NOW.
AND THERE IS A FAIR AMOUNT OF WHAT WE CALL INITIAL ENGINEERING. AND UNDERSTANDING JUST THE NUANCES OF TX-DOT AND THEIR REQUIREMENTS WHICH IS NOT A SKILL SET THAT STAFF HAVE WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP.
IF THE BOARD WERE TO APPROVE, WE WOULD SUBMIT THE GRANT IN MAY. ACTUALLY, THE APPLICATIONS WERE DUE JUNE 5. AND THEN IF WE-- IF THE IF WE WERE TO BE SELECTED, WE WOULD HEAR SOMEWHERE IN THE FALL OF 2023. WE ARE REQUESTING APPROVAL OF
THE PROPOSAL FROM QUIDDITY. >> IT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED THAT QUIDDITY PREPARE A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE STATE HIGHWAY 242.
HARP E'S LANDING PATHWAY. AND AUTHORIZE A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO UTILIZE UP TO $100,000 IN FUNDS FOR GRANT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FROM THE GENERAL FUND. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. WITH THAT SAID, DISCUSSION?
QUESTIONS FOR DR. SNEUNS. >> DISCUSSION.
>> YES. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DR. NUNES. THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS.
ON THE HEELS OF THE SALES AND HOTEL TAX.
WONDERFUL NEWS. IT IS GREAT DAYS IN THE WOODLANDS. MY QUESTIONS ARE SEVERAL.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY I SUPPORT THIS WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
I THINK IT WILL EXECUTE A PIVOTAL PART OF THE BIKE PATHWAY MASTER PLAN THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. THIS HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT KEY PIECE. THIS IS VITAL THAT WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY. TXDOT HAS PROVIDED FOR US.
THE FIRST QUESTION IS WILL WE BE DELAYED IN IMPLEMENTING THIS ON
[01:05:06]
THE UNDERPASS, GOING UNDER THE 45 UNTIL TXDOT ACTUALLY STARTS THEIR MASSIVE 45 REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT?>> I THINK WE WOULD ACTUALLY BE THERE BEFORE THAT PROJECT.
THAT PROJECT, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THERE WAS THE PUBLIC MEETING, I THINK, WE BUMPED INTO EACH OTHER.
THAT IS MORE 15-20 YEARS OUT. WE ARE TALKING PROBABLY IN THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS. BY THE ENGINEERING STAGE, AND THEN THE ACTUAL BUILDING STAGE. MAYBE LESS THAN THREE OR FOUR
YEARS. >> IF I MAY, DR. NUNES, AT THAT SAME MEETING, THEY CONVEYED THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN SOONER RATHER THAN LATER IF WE ARE APPROVED WITH THE GRANT THAT THEY ARE ENCOURAGING US TO APPLY. IT WILL, IN NO WAY, BE-- 45 WILL
BE AFFECTED BY THE PATHWAY. >> GREAT, GREAT, GREAT.
I THINK THAT WILL MAKE OUR BICYCLE COMMUNITY VERY, VERY HAPPY AS WELL AS OUR PEDESTRIAN ENTHUSIASTS.
THAT IS BIG. I WANT TO ALSO THANK, AT THIS POINT, CHAIRMAN BUNCH. HE WAS VERY MUCH A PROPONENT OF GETTING THIS INITIATIVE STARTED. AND DR. NUNES AND I WERE-- DR. SNYDER AND I WERE BOTH VOTERS ON THAT PARTICULAR INITIATIVE. I WANT TO MENTION THAT.
AND THEN FINALLY, THE ACTUAL LAYOUT THAT I HAVE SEEN, THAT I BELIEVE YOU DESCRIBED AS PRELIMINARY, WILL WE BE SEEING MORE OF THIS ON A STAFF-WISE FASHION, WILL THE RESIDENTS HAVE A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON THE PLAN THE WAY TX-DOT HAS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PAST FOR RESIDENTS TO MAKE COMMENT? THAT IS NUMBER ONE. THE OTHER PART IS SINCE WE HAVE NEVER APPLIED FOR A TX-DOT GRANT IN THE PAST, RIGHT?
AM I RIGHT? >> THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING,
WE HAVE APPLIED FOR HGAC GRANTS. MANY TIMES.
AND BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. IN THAT.
DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT JONES & CARTER IS THE RIGHT
ORGANIZATION TO REPRESENT US? >> I'M GOING TO JUMP IN REAL QUICK AS A POINT OF ORDER. I JUST WANT-- TELL ME IF I'M OFF. I FEEL LIKE WE ARE GETTING WAY BEYOND THE POSTED AGENDA ITEM HERE.
AND THIS IS ALL GOOD INFORMATION.
THERE WILL BE A TIME FOR THIS. RIGHT NOW AREN'T WE JUST APPROVING THE BUDGETED FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO RETAIN, TO MOVE FORWARD AND WORK ON SUBMITTING A GRANT?
>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. YEAH.
THE DISCUSSION IS IN REGARD TO THE CONTRACT FOR A GRANT.
>> THAT IS THE QUESTION THAT DR. THERE IS ANOTHER QUESTION IN THERE. THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THIS GRANT. I THINK WHEN TX-DOT REACHED OUT TO US, THEY SAW-- ONE OF THE OVERALL GOALS OF THE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES GRANT IS THE CONNECTIVITY OF ISOLATED COMMUNITIES. AND THAT IS WHERE, I THINK, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SCORE HIGHER THAN WE MIGHT HAVE IN HGAC GRANTS. WINDVAIL MIGHT BE CONSIDERED AN ISOLATED COMMUNITY. HARP E'S LANDING IS DEFINITELY CONSIDERED THAT. THE OTHER REAL BONUSES, AND THERE IS A COLOR CODE ON THAT INITIAL KIND OF PLAN OF SCHOOLS, THOSE ARE CONSIDERED COMMUNITIES.
AND WE HAVE MULTIPLE HIGH SCHOOLS AS WELL AS-- EXCUSE ME.
MULTIPLE HIGH SCHOOLS. SENIOR COMPLEXES.
HEALTH CARE COMPLEXES. WE HAVE SHOPPING CENTERS AS WELL. ALL RIGHT NOW MAY SCORE BETTER THAN OUR TRADITIONAL GRANTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN APPLYING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE ARE VERY FORTUNTE THAT QUIDDITY, FORMERLY JONES & CARTER KNOWS OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY HAVE WORKED WITH US SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING WITH THE BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN. RESIDENTS WEIGHED IN IN 2015, 2016, WHEN WE DID THE BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN.
WE HAVE NOT DONE SOMETHING MAJOR.
IN QUITE SOME TIME. AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ADJACENT AS VIVIAN-- THE FRIENDLY PEOPLE ON 242, BUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY OUR CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ARE EXCITED TO HAVE.
MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY
[ CLOSED MEETING (if applicable)]
>> MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU, DR. NUNES.
THAT BRINGS US TO EXECKIVE IS SESSION.
THERE IS A NEED TO RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I HEREBY ANNOUNCE THAT THE BOARD WILL RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO 551072, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, DELIBERATION OF ECONOMIC
[01:10:03]
DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS. PURSUANT TO 551087, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS.DISCUS I.T. NETWORK OR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, SECURITY, PURSUANT TO 551089. TO CONSULT WITH THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY PURSUANT TO 551071, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.
NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THE BOARD WILL RECONVENE IMMEDIATELY AFTER
[12. Reconvene in public session;]
[14. Receive, consider and act upon the purchase of network infrastructure equipment;]
AGENDA ITEM 13 IS DEFERRED. THAT BRINGS US TO ITEM 14.I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO AUTHORIZE TO EXECUTE PURCHASES FROM CDWG AND CENTER TECHNOLOGIES FOR NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE EQUIPMENT. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR,
SIGNIFY BY SAYING IEVMENT. >> AYE.
[15. Receive, consider and act upon the purchase of a video surveillance system for The Woodlands Fire Department;]
>> OPPOSED, MOTION PASSES. BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 15.
TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE PURCHASE OF A VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR THE WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A MOTION AND SECOND TO AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR A VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR THE WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IT HAS BEEN MOVEDRY BY DIRECTOR BAILEY.
SECONDED BY SEKULA-GIBBS. DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
[16. Receive, consider and act upon the purchase of a telecommunications system;]
>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 16.
I CALL FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AS APPROVED TO FINAL FORM BY THE TOWNSHIP LEGAL COUNSEL.
>> SECOND. >> MOVED AND SECONDED.
>> DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR,
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE.
>> MADAM CHAIRMAN? A CLARIFICATION.
ITEM 13, DID WE MOVE THAT? MOVE TO A FUTURE AGENDA?
>> YES. WE DEFERRED IT TO APRIL 26.
>> OKAY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS ON
THE RECORD. >> I MUST HAVE GONE TOO QUICK.
>> YOU DID. YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB
[17. Receive, consider and act upon the Township President/CEO annual performance review;]
TONIGHT. >> BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 17.
I CALL FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO AMEND THE PRESIDENT-C.E.O.'S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW. IT HAS BEEN MOVED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
[18. Consideration of items to be placed on the agenda for next month's meeting;]
MOTION PASSES. WELL-DONE, PRESIDENT SHARPE.THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 18.
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MONTH'S MEETING. I THINK ON APRIL 26, IT IS ALREADY OVERFLOWING. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?
[19. Board announcements; and]
IF NOT, AGENDA ITEM 19. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS.ARE THERE ANY BOARD ANNOUNCEMENT? OH. WE WILL HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL EVENING.
>> OH, I DO HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
I'M SORRY. >> I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A WONDERFUL EASTER.
>> WE HAVE A BUSY WEEKEND COMING AHEAD OF US HERE FOR THE IRON MAN COMING UP AS WELL AS THE LPGA TOURNAMENT THERE AT CARLTON WOODS. HERE IN THE WOODLANDS.
S IF IT WILL BE TELEVISED ON NBC.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. OUR FIRST TIME TO HAVE THE LPGA HERE IN THE WOODLANDS. AND AFTER SERVING IN CALIFORNIA FOR OVER 50 YEARS, WE RECRUITED THEM HERE.
IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR US. WE WILL HAVE A HUNDRED OF THE BEST GOLFERS. LADY GOLFERS ON THE LPGA TOUR.
PLEASE WELCOME THEM, AND THEN OF COURSE, IRON MAN IS JUST SUCH A LEGACY EVENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE BEEN VOTED BY THE ATHLETES AS ONE OF THE BEST EVENTS IN THE ENTIRE IRON MAN SERIES. A BIG WEEKEND ON THAT WEEKEND.
>> YES. >> AND WE ALSO HAVE A GOLF TOURNAMENT AS WELL AS OUR WONDERFUL ART FESTIVAL BEING HELD DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS WELL AS CELEBRATING FOR THOSE OF US WHO CELEBRATE EASTER, WE ALSO HAVE EASTER DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL. SO VERY BUSY, BUSY MONTH.
[01:15:02]
IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? >> MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, C SIGOURNEY WEAVER ANIFY BY SAYING AYE. OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. HAVE A WONDERFUL
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.