Dec 06, 2023 Board of Directors Regular Meeting Agenda

[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;]

[2. Call meeting to order;]

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

[4. Recognize public officials;]

[00:02:38]

FOUR RECOGNIZING PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

WE DO HAVE VICE PRESIDENT AARON HOFSTRA.

[5. Public comment;]

A PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA ITEM IS INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF ALL REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS. 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 THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATING IN PUBLIC MEETINGS. EACH PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD MUST FIRST SIGN THE SPEAKERS ROSTER.

INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO MAKE GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS TO A DIRECT TOPIC NOT ON THE AGENDA OR WHO WISH TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS MUST DO SO UNDER THE PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA ITEM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING. INDIVIDUALS WILL BE LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF THREE MINUTES REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF TOPICS. SPEAKERS WILL BE TAKEN IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY SIGN UP. ANY SPEAKER ON A SINGLE SUBJECT MAY YIELD 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 VIEWPOINTS 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 AN INDIVIDUAL DIRECTOR. ALSO I WOULD LIKE ALL OF YOU TO

[00:05:01]

FIRST IS JOHN WARTS. MR. WARTS.

>> GOOD EVENING, MERRY CHRISTMAS.

THE LAST THREE PARADES HAVE BEEN MARRED BY CONTROVERSY.

HAS THE PARADE COMMITTEE COME TO THE TOWNSHIP BOARD TO EXPLAIN HOW THEY WILL BETTER MANAGE THE 2024 PARADE? IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE NEW CONTRACT INCREASES THE TOWNSHIP'S FUNDING FROM $20,000 TO $25,000 ANNUALLY.

ALTHOUGH STIPULATIONS ARE PLACED ON HOW THE MONEY SHOULD BE USED, I UNDERSTAND THE MONEY IS FUNGIBLE.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT CONTINUING TO FUND THE PARADE COMMITTEE EXPOSES THE TOWNSHIP TO ALLEGATIONS OF NONPROFIT FAVORITISM AND POTENTIAL LAWSUITS.

IT'S ALSO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SOUTH COUNTY 4TH OF JULY PARADE COMMITTEE IS THE ONLY NONPROFIT THAT RECEIVES TAXPAYER MONEY WITHOUT SATISFYING THE WOODLANDS CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU. NON-PROFITS SUCH AS IRON MAN TRIATHLON, THE WOODLANDS MARATHON, THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY ARTS FESTIVAL, THE LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP, ET CETERA RECEIVE FUNDING AND SUPPORT THROUGH VISIT THE WOODLANDS.

IN RETURN THEY GENERATE SIGNIFICANT HOTEL REVENUES.

UNLIKE INTERFAITH AND MEALS ON WHEELS, THE PARADE COMMITTEE DOES NOT SATISFY ANY LEGAL OBLIGATIONS.

THE NEW PARADE COMMITTEE CONTRACT IS FOR TWO YEARS AND CONTAINS A THREE YEAR EXTENSION BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT.

WHY THE FAVORITISM? THE NEW PARADE AGREEMENT ALLOWS A 30 DAY WRITTEN TERMINATION OPTION BY EITHER PARTY, RIGHT? HOWEVER THE OPTION IS LIMITED TO THE MONTHS OF AUGUST AND DECEMBER WHICH IS DISADD -- DISADVENTAGEOUS TO THE TOWNSHIP.

THE TOWNSHIP BOARD SHOULD TERMINATE ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH COUNTY 4TH OF JULY PARADE COMMITTEE AND ENCOURAGE THE PARADE TO SEEK FUNDING FROM NONTAXPAYER SOURCES.

REGARDLESS OF THE GOOD INTENTIONS, THIS USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY IS INAPPROPRIATE AND GO FIND SOME CORPORATE MONEY TO

FUND THIS. >> THANK YOU, JOHN.

I THINK YOU SAID YOU HAVE HANDOUTS.

YOU'VE ALREADY GIVEN THEM. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIRMAN AND DISTINGUISHED DIRECTORS.

I'VE BEEN IN THE WOODLANDS FOR 12 12 YEARS. I'M A RETIRED ENGINEER WHO WORKED WITH EXXON MOBILE. I'M HERE TO REPORT ABOUT AN ISSUE AT MY TOWNHOME HOA IN THE STERLING RIDGE VILLAGE WHICH HAS 52 UNITS. I'LL BRIEFLY DESCRIBE HOW THE ISSUE STARTED, WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND WHERE I THINK IT IS GOING. I'M PRETTY SURE THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST TIME AN SMSH LIKE THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. -- TIME AN ISSUE LIKE THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. I'M THEREFORE LOOKING FOR OPTIONS AND AVENUES I CAN PURSUE.

MY TOWNHOME HOA PRESIDENT CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN UPCOMING VOTE FOR A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR $11,400 FOR EACH OWNER IN THAT TOWNHOME HOA.

[00:10:02]

THE INSURANCE BROKER CAME TO THE BOARD ON MAY 7TH, THREE DAYS BEFORE THE RENEWAL DATE WITH A POLICY THAT COSTS $250,000 FOR THE ENTIRE HOA. THAT WAS THE PREMIUM AMOUNT FOR 2023-24. THE HOA BOARD APPROVED THE POLICY NOT WANTING THE HOA TO NOT HAVE ANY -- THE PREMIUMS WENT UP FROM $60,000 THE PRIOR YEAR TO $250,000 THIS YEAR.

A 420% INCREASE. THIS POLICY ALSO CANNOT BE CANCELED UNTIL IT IS UP FOR RENEWAL IN A YEAR'S TIME, IN MAY 2024. SO THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD, SO I ASKED THE BOARD THESE QUESTIONS, THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

WHY DID THE INSURANCE BROKER NOT GIVE YOU THE RENEWAL POLICY 60 DAYS IN ADVANCE AS PER TEXAS LAW.

THEY CLAIM THEY EMAILED THE BROKER, BUT DID NOT GET ANY RESPONSE FROM HIM. THE BOARD WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE IN JANUARY 2023 BY THE BROKER THAT THE POLICY WOULD GO UP FROM $60,000 TO $70,000 NOT THE $250,000 THAT HE CAME BACK WITH.

>> IF YOU CAN SUM UP, YOUR TIME IS UP.

BUT DO A CLOSING. I KNOW WE HAVE A HANDOUT AND I

APPRECIATE THAT. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

SO THERE ARE 15 HOMEOWNERS OUT OF THE 52 THAT HAVEN'T PAID THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT. I HAVE PAID MINE AND I AM CONCERNED THAT MY MONEY IS BEING USED BY THE HOA TO COVER THE INSURANCE AND POTENTIAL ROOF REPLACEMENT COSTS COMING UP.

THERE IS NO CONTRACT PROVIDED BY THE HOA FOR THE ROOF OR THAT SPECIAL COMPONENT. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I'LL APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK ON OPTIONS WE HAVE AVAILABLE INCLUDING HOW OTHER HOAS HAVE MANAGED THESE INSURANCE PREMIUM INCREASES AND WHETHER THERE ARE ANY TOWNSHIP COVENANT RULES THAT VILLAGE HOAS LIKE OURS HAVE TO COMPLY WITH REGARDING HOMEOWNER MEETINGS AND ANNUAL FEE

ASSESSMENTS? >> THANK YOU.

MISSY HERNDON. >> GOOD EVENING, CHAIR SNYDER AND DIRECTORS. I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF SERVING AS PRESIDENT OF INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS.

WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY.

HOW BEAUTIFULLY INTERTWINED WE ARE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

OUR LOGO STANDS FOR UNITY AMID DIVERSITY.

WE WERE CREATED BY MR. GEORGE MITCHELL WITH THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING EVERY NEIGHBOR THAT MOVED TO HIS NEW HOMETOWN WOULD FIND A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION. RECOGNIZING EVERYONE WOULD BE ARRIVING FROM DIVERSE RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND OF DIFFERING ABILITIES, HE CHARGED INTERFAITH TO NURTURE THE SOFTWARE OF THE COMMUNITY. AS THE POPULATION GREW, SO DID THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS AND INTERFAITH STEPPED IN NOT ONLY AS A PLACE TO MEET THOSE NEEDS BUT TO FULFILL OUR NOW 50-YEAR-OLD MISSION TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD A MORE LOVING AND CARING COMMUNITY THROUGH SERVICE.

THIS FOUNDATION OF GENEROSITY AND CARING DOESN'T END WITH INTERFAITH. EACH ONE OF US AS RESIDENTS AND YOU ALL AS OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TOOK ON PERSONALLY THE CIVIC AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE EVERY FAMILY AND SENIOR IN THIS COMMUNITY HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. WE'LL LOOK AT OUR ORGANIZATION WITH ITS ROBUST OFFERINGS OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

[00:15:01]

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO PARTNER ON PROGRAMS SUPPORTING OUR SENIOR NEIGHBORS. SINCE 2014, INTERFAITH HAS BEEN A SERVICE PROVIDER OPERATING THE SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.

THROUGH THE END OF NOVEMBER, OUR PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED 1426 RIDES TO SENIOR NEIGHBORS WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP.

THIS IS A 15% INCREASE OVER 2022.

THESE ARE RIDES TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, TO THE GROCERY STORE, AND TO AGENCIES LIKE INTERFAITH FOR FOOD AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR OUR SENIORS.

EVERY RIDE IS A GIFT TO OUR SENIORS ALLOWING THEM TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT AND ENHANCE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

ADDITIONALLY, SERVING OUR SENIORS PROGRAM HELPS SENIORS KEEP WITHIN THE COVENANTS OF THE WOODLANDS.

THIS YEAR WORKING WITH VOLUNTEER GROUPS AND CONTRACTORS, WE'VE REVITALIZED 74 SENIOR HOMES, ALLOWING OUR SENIORS TO AGE IN PLACE. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS 50TH ANNIVERSARY THAT WAS DELIVERED BY CHAIR ANNE SNYDER IN NOVEMBER.

I WILL CLOSE BY SAYING WE SHOULD ALL BE THANKFUL THAT OUR FOUNDERS HAD THE FORESIGHT AND VISION TO CREATE AN ORGANIZATION WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO LOVE AND CARE FOR THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY. WE BELIEVE IT IS ONE OF THE MANY REASONS THE WOODLANDS IS SO VERY, VERY SPECIAL.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU IN 2024. HAPPY HANUKKAH AND MERRY CHRISTMAS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MISSY. THAT BRINGS US TO SPEAKER NUMBER FOUR, SIMON, IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

WITH LOTS OF GREAT NEWS TO SHARE ABOUT SOCCER PROGRAMS.

>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SIMON BODISON THE DIRECTOR OF SOCCER OPERATIONS. COMING TO THE END OF A VERY BUSY, ENJOYABLE, EXCITING FALL SEASON, THIS COMING WEEKEND WE'RE CLOSING OUT WITH A THREE ON THREE WINTER BLAST TOURNAMENT. IT IS A BLAST.

WE'LL HAVE 200 PLUS TEAMS COMPETING, PLAYING AT THEIR BRANCH THIS COMING WEEKEND. WE HAVE A DJ, SOME FACE PAINTING, WE'LL HAVE DIFFERENT EVENTS GOING ON AROUND THE FACILITY. AND IT'S A GREAT WAY TO CLOSE OUT THE FALL SEASON. WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 5,000 PEOPLE ON SITE FOR ABOUT A 8 TO 12 HOUR PERIOD.

AND IT'S A LOT OF FUN AND LAUGHTER FOR THE KIDS TO FINISH OFF THE FALL SEASON. SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO CLOSING OUT THAT SIDE OF THINGS. WE'VE ALSO JUST CLOSED OUT OUR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS SIDE OF THINGS.

I MENTIONED IT THE LAST TIME I CAME IN AND SPOKE.

WE DID A QUICK PHOTOSHOOT AT OUR OFFICE AND INVITED THE MEMORIAL HERMAN FOUNDATION, AND THANK YOU, LINDA, FOR COMING DOWN AND JOINING US. WE RAISED $20,000 THAT WE DONATED BACK. IT'S SOMETHING WE STARTED IN 2012. AND WE'VE RAISED JUST OVER $100,000 FOR A LOCAL CHARITY SINCE THAT TIME PERIOD.

SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS VERY PROMINENT AND A BIG PART OF THE FALL SEASON. WE CLOSED OUT OUR REC SEASON A FEW WEEKS AGO WITH JUST OVER 1500 LOCAL PLAYERS PLAYING FOR THE FALL SEASON WITH BETWEEN 200 AND 250 VOLUNTEER COACHES WHO ARE PARENTS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS. SO I'D LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR ALL OF OUR EFFORTS AND OUR INTERNAL STAFF FOR PUTTING THAT ON EVERY SATURDAY MORNING. IT'S A HUGE TASK THAT WE PUT ON BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF TIMES AND PLAYERS AND PEOPLE INVOLVED. THAT WILL CLOSE OUT THE FALL.

WE'LL HAVE 2 OR 3 WEEKS OF DOWN TIME AND THEN WE'LL BE BACK IN 2024 TO GET THE BIG MACHINE UP AND MOVING AGAIN FOR YOUTH SOCCER. SO I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT. AND WE'LL BE BACK IN 2024 WITH A LOT OF NEW FACES AND SMILING PEOPLE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUTH

[00:20:02]

>> THANK YOU, SIMON. NEXT MR. POWERS.

JOHN POWERS. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I'M JOHN POWERS, PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH COUNTY 4TH OF JULY PARADE COMMITTEE.

I'M HERE TO THANK THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF SUPPORT OF THE PARADE AND TO REQUEST YOUR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN THE RENEWAL OF THE SERVICE AGREEMENT.

I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK THE COMMITTEE'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHO TOGETHER LED THE PRODUCTION OF THE PARADE.

VICE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER, BOTH PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE COMMITTEE HAVING EACH SERVED OVER 20 YEARS.

WITHOUT THEM, THIS PARADE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.

SECRETARY IS ANGEL NICKS. DIRECTOR NICK SWORDSON AND DIRECTOR NAOMI GONZALES. I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COMMITTEE'S LEGAL COUNSEL, SHE HAS PROVIDED SAGE LEGAL COUNSEL AND ADVICE THAT'S BEEN INVALUABLE TO ME AND TO THE COMMITTEE. THE PARADE CANNOT BE PRODUCED WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AND THE MANY, MANY COMMUNITY LEADERS, BUSINESSES, AND VOLUNTEERS, SOME OF WHOM I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. ESPECIALLY GENERAL TAYLOR AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF -- JENNY TAYLOR AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF MARKET STREET. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PARADE.

COMMISSIONER NOAK, WE KNOW THE ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE PARADE IMPACTS TRAFFIC. AND WE'RE GRATEFUL TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR HIS SUPPORT AND HIS DEDICATED COMMUNITY SPIRIT, SERVICE, AND LEADERSHIP. SHERIFF HENDERSON, CAPTAIN TIM HOLYFIELD, AND SERGEANT HERNANDEZ AND THE 25 OFFICERS WHO WORKED THE PARADE. PUBLIC SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT, AND WE'RE FORTUNATE THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS WERE THERE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PARADE PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATORS. THE VILLAGE AT WOODLANDS WATERWAY WHO HOSTED THE PRE-PARADE BREAKFAST AND WHO FED THE HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS. THE LION'S CLUB, THE ORGANIZATION THAT BEGAN THE PARADE ALMOST 50 YEARS AGO AND STILL PARTICIPATE. THE WOODLANDS METHODIST CHURCH WHO LET US USE THEIR PARKIN LOT FOR THE STAGING.

OVER 200 VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING MANY FROM NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE, NATIONAL CHARITY ROUNDTABLE, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE COMMUNITY CELEBRITY JUDGES WHO SHOWED THEIR DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY EVENT. AND THE MANY SPONSORS AND UNDERWRITERS. THE TOWNSHIP'S FUNDING AND IN KIND SUPPORT PROVIDE A LARGE PORTION OF THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PRODUCE THE PARADE. BUT IT TOOK THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT-MINDED SPONSORS AND UNDERWRITERS TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE PARADE. WE'RE VERY BLESSED TO LIVE IN THE GREATEST COMMUNITY IN THE GREATEST STATE IN THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. IT IS THE UTMOST GOAL OF THE COMMITTEE TO PRODUCE A PARADE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTH COUNTY THAT REFLECTS THAT GREATNESS.

ONE THAT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AMP TO CELEBRATE TOGETHER THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN 1776.

ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTH COUNTY COMMITTEE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, FOR YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE HIGH HONOR OF PRODUCING THE 40TH ANNUAL 4TH

OF JULY PARADE, 2024. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

STEWART SCHROEDER. >> I WANTED TO THANK THE TOWNSHIP BOARD AND THE STAFF FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE. AS A 25 YEAR RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS, I RECALL TAKING OUR SONS TO SEE THE PARADE MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG. MY OLDER SONS WHO LIVE ELSEWHERE RETURNED TO OUR COMMUNITY TWO YEARS AGO TO VOLUNTEER AT THE PARADE. I VOLUNTEERED AT THE PARADE IN ONE CAPACITY OR ANOTHER OVER 12 YEARS.

WHY DO I WAKE UP AT 4:15 ON THE MORNING OF JULY 4TH? I GUESS FOR ME THAT'S A LABOR OF LOVE.

I THINK IT'S TRULY WONDERFUL THAT A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS CAN COME TOGETHER AND ORGANIZE AND PRODUCE THE PARADE.

IN CLOSING, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. SCHROEDER.

[00:25:03]

CYNTHIA KITSINGER. >> HELLO.

GOOD EVENING I GUESS. I THINK I'M THE LAST PERSON THAT SIGNED IN SO WRAPPING IT UP. THANK YOU TO THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS CYNTHIA KISSINGER. I'VE BEEN AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN OUR COMMUNITY. BACK IN THE 1990S I ACTUALLY SERVED THE SOUTH COUNTY 4TH OF JULY COMMITTEE.

I SERVED OVER A FEW YEARS IN DIFFERENT CAPACITIES, ONE OF WHICH AS PARADE CHAIR AND ALSO TREASURER.

I HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE AND UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT GOES INTO THE PLANNING AND ALL OF THE TIME AND EFFORT OF THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE NECESSITY FOR THE PROPER FUNDING IN ORDER FOR THE PARADE TO BE A SUCCESS. IT'S SUCH A GREAT WAY FOR FAMILIES TO KICK OFF THE 4TH OF JULY TO HAVE A PARADE TO ATTEND.

IT'S A GREAT CELEBRATION AND I REALLY APPRECIATE AS A RESIDENT OF THE WOODLANDS THAT THE PARADE HAPPENS IN THE WOODLANDS BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST A WOODLANDS PARADE, IT IS A SOUTH COUNTY EVENT. I THINK IT'S GREAT FOR THE CONVENIENCE, IT'S WONDERFUL IF YOU'RE A PARTICIPANT, WHICH MANY YEARS I HAVE BEEN A PARTICIPANT IN THE PARADE AND OF COURSE I ALWAYS WANTED TO VIEW IT WHEN I WASN'T PARTICIPATING IN IT.

IT'S ALSO GREAT THAT THOSE OUTSIDE OF THE WOODLANDS GENERATE SALES TAX REVENUE IF THEY SHOP OR DINE IN THE WOODLANDS WHILE THEY'RE HERE FOR ALL OF THE DIFFERENT CELEBRATIONS, BUT EVEN SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PARADE THAT MORNING. SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY TRUE IN THE EARLY 90S AND IS STILL TRUE TODAY IS THAT IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR SO MANY IN THE COMMUNITY TO BE INVOLVED IN THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN PARTICIPATE, GROUPS CAN PARTICIPATE, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES, GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, IT'S REALLY A VAST MAJORITY OF DIFFERENT REPRESENTATION THAT'S FUN IN OUR COMMUNITY AND GETS THE RESIDENTS OUT AND INVOLVED.

SO IN THAT LIGHT, I WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS TO SUPPORT THE PARADE AND THAT YOU DO CONTINUE -- I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE PARADE IN THE YEARS GOING FORWARD.

IT REALLY IS AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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

>> THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT AND BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM SIX, TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON THE REPORTS FROM OUR VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS.

MARYANN. GREAT WAY TO START OUT.

TO HEAR ALL OF THE GOOD THINGS. >> GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS MARYANN. AS PRESIDENT OF THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION, I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE THIS EVENING.

I SEE THAT THE NEW BOARD IS SEATED THIS YEAR.

AND I'D LIKE TO WELCOME THE NEW DIRECTOR AND I WISH YO ALL THE BEST AS WE GET THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS AND START OUR WORK IN 2024. OUR LAST MEETING WAS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH. WE RECEIVED THE LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT FROM SPECIALIST MCCRAY, HE ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO BE CAUTIOUS AND SAFE DURING THE HOLIDAYS WHETHER YOU ARE OUT SHOPPING, ORDERING ITEMS TO BE DELIVERED TO YOUR HOUSE OR ANYWHERE ELSE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

MISSY HERNDON WAS OUR SPEAKER. SHE HAS MADE COMMENTS DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS. WE REALLY ENJOYED HER PRESENTATION. SHE GAVE US THE HISTORY OF INTERFAITH INCLUDING CELEBRATING THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, THE PROGRAMS THEY OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY, AND HOW TO HELP IN THE HOLIDAYS. WE HAD A FESTIVAL ON NOVEMBER 4TH. WE HAD THE LARGEST CROWD EVER.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSORS CHICK-FIL-A AND HELLO WOODLANDS. OUR NEW SPONSOR SHARED MORE THAN 250 TAMALES WITH THE RESIDENTS. EVERYONE ENJOYED THE FUN ACTIVITIES. SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE WATCHED THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S K9 DEMONSTRATION AND WE WERE ALL VERY IMPRESSED BY THE SKILL OF THE DOGS AND THE HANDLERS.

WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE HOLLY JOLLY JINGLE CONCERT, BUT DUE TO THE WEATHER IT WAS CANCELED AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN ANOTHER CONCERT NEXT YEAR.

WE ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE HOLIDAY'S LIGHTING CONTEST AND WILL BE ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL DECORATIONS.

WE'LL BE GIVING AN AWARD FOR THE BEST HOUSE AND BEST NEIGHBORHOOD OR BEST GROUP OF HOUSES. WE DO NOT TYPICALLY MEET IN DECEMBER BUT WE DO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE A HOLIDAY DINNER.

OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 9TH.

OUR MEETINGS BEGIN AT 6:30 P.M. ALL RESIDENTS ARE INVITED AND

[00:30:03]

THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> THANK YOU, MARYANN.

WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU AND YOUR BOARD DO.

MAKE THE WOODLANDS SO SPECIAL. WE LIKE YOUR JACKET.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, DIRECTORS AND STAFF.

I'M PRESIDENT OF THE GROGAN'S MILL VILLAGE ASSOCIATION.

SINCE OUR LAST UPDATE, THE GMVA HELD PUBLIC MEETINGS ON SEPTEMBER 16TH, OCTOBER 3RD, AND NOVEMBER 20TH, I'D LIKE TO THANK CHIEF BUCK FOR PROVIDING UPDATES AS WELL AS SPECIALISTS FOR PROVIDING US WITH A MONTHLY LAW ENFORCEMENT UPDATE.

AT OUR OCTOBER MEETING, COMMISSIONER JAMES NOAK PROVIDED THE GMVA AND RESIDENTS WITH AN UPDATE FOR THE GROGAN'S MILL VILLAGE CENTER. THE MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 6:00 P.M. HERE AT THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AND ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THE GMVA WILL NOT HOLD A MEETING IN DECEMBER DUE TO THE HOLIDAYS AND OUR JANUARY MEETING HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO JANUARY 22ND.

DIRECTOR DE LA CRUZ DOES A GREAT JOB OF RECOGNIZING OUR YARD OF THE MONTH WINNERS. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LAST THREE WINNERS. THE GMVA CONTINUES TO HOLD WEEKLY EVENTS AT THE FARMER'S MARKET AND IS OPEN EVERY SATURDAY FROM 9:00 TO 1:00. IN OCTOBER THE MARKET WELCOMED REPRESENTATIVES FROM CISD AS WELL AS THE WOODLAND'S TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION AHEAD OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. WE WERE ALSO EXCITED TO HAVE THE HALEY CHOIR PERFORM AT THE MARKET.

ON NOVEMBER 11TH WE CELEBRATED THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOODLANDS FARMER'S MARKET. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE FOUNDERS OF THE MARKET IN 2008. OBVIOUSLY IT'S BECOME SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. ALL PROCEEDS ARE RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE GMVA'S PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS.

WE ARE IN PROCESS OF DONATING A TOTAL OF $12,000 TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS WELL AS $5,000 TO INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS.

WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT FROM THE TOWNSHIP AS WELL AS THOSE WHO SUPPORT AND ATTEND THE MARKET EVERY SATURDAY. THAT CONCLUDES MY UPDATE.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYBODY. >> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU AND YOUR BOARD DOES.

THE FARMER'S MARKET HAS JUST EXPLODED.

EXPLODED. WE APPRECIATE IT.

THAT BRINGS US TO INDIAN SPRINGS.

MICHAEL, SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND THE BOARD, AND THE NEW BOARD. I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU ALL. OUR LAST MEETING WAS OH FIRST OF ALL I'M MICHAEL SAUCIER, PRESIDENT OF THE INDIAN SPRINGS VILLAGE ASSOCIATION. OUR LAST MEETING WAS NOVEMBER 14TH. WE FINALLY HAD A QUORUM.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT WAS DUE TO A VOLUNTEER RESIGNING, A BOARD MEMBER RESIGNING, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO APPROVE ALL OF THE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES AND ACTUALLY DO SOME BUSINESS. ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE DISCUSSED WAS OUR KIND OF REVIEW OF OUR ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL WHICH IS TASTE OF THE VILLAGE. WE HELD THAT ON OCTOBER 29TH.

WE HAD ROUGHLY 17 VENDORS. WE HAD PERFORMANCES FROM CLASS ACT THEATER PRODUCTIONS, WE HAD BONNIE'S DANCE STUDIO, AND THE WOODLANDS HIGH SCHOOL IMPROVE TROUPE.

WE ALSO HAD A STREET MAGICIAN, SIMILAR TO DAVID BLAIN BUT NOT SO MUCH. FACE PAINTERS, BALLOON ARTIST, BOUNCE HOUSES FOR THE KIDS. WE ALSO WANT TO THANK REGENCY CENTERS FOR THEIR HELP AND WITH THE RAFFLE WE RAISED OVER $11,000 WHICH WE'LL BE GIVING OUT TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, OF COURSE SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS WE'LL BE RENEWING HERE IN THE SPRING AND ALSO TO LOCAL CHARITIES. LAST YEAR WE GAVE SOME MONEY TO THE WOMEN'S CENTER. I WANT TO THANK OUR CHAIR WHICH IS AMY LOGAN PIERCE, I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT HER.

SHE WAS OUTSTANDING. ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS TOO, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING CHRISTMAS DECORATION JUDGING.

OUR COMMITTEE IS NOW REVIEWING HOMES NOW AND ACTUALLY SUBMITTED

[00:35:02]

WE DON'T HAVE A MEETING IN DECEMBER.

AND THAT WILL BE AT 7:00 P.M. HERE AT THE TOWNSHIP.

THANKS. >> THANK YOU, MICHAEL.

AND YOUR OKTOBERFEST -- OCTOBER FESTIVAL I THOUGHT WAS ONE OF THE BEST. IT SEEMED LIKE YOU HAD MORE SPECTATORS THAN EVER. GREAT JOB.

WELL IT WAS GOOD. IT WAS GOOD.

THANK YOU. VERY HUMBLE.

A MOTION AND SECOND TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE REPORTS?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY

SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

[ CONSENT AGENDA]

>> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ARE NONCONTROVERSIAL OR 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 SEVEN ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. YOU HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ EACH IN YOUR BOARD BOOK. IS THERE A MOTION OR --

>> DISCUSSION. >> OF COURSE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE OUT 7C. >> 7B?

>> C AS IN CAT. AND 7K AND L.

>> CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN, PLEASE?

>> YES, SORRY. 7C AND 7L AND K.

K AND L. >> C, K, AND L?

>> C AS IN CAT, K AS IN KAREN, L IS IN LARRY.

>> SO C AND K? >> AND L.

>> AND L. >> CHAIRMAN --

>> YES, LET ME GET TO THAT. THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN DEFERRED, STAFF HAS ASKED US TO PULL 7H, SO THAT WILL NOT.

AND I SIT ON THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS AND SO I WILL ABSTAIN FOR THAT VOTE.

SO I WILL PULL 7F. ANYTHING ELSE? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REMAINING?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY

SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

[c. Receive, consider and act upon a service agreement with the South County Fourth of July Parade Committee (C-2023-0236);]

WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS, OR SINCE YOU PULLED IT, WHAT

WOULD YOU LIKE -- >> I WOULD LIKE A MORE THOROUGH REPORT ON THIS ITEM BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT.

AND I THINK WE CAN START WITH AS YOU SAY DR. NOONS.

AND THEN I'D LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS OF

MR. POWERS AS WELL. >> RATHER THAN DR. NOONS OUR

LEGAL COUNSEL. >> GOOD EVENING, DR. SNYDER AND BOARD MEMBERS. I GUESS A LITTLE MORE GUIDANCE ON THE REPORT AND THE NEED FOR A REPORT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

WE HAVE A CONTRACT THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED, I THINK IS IN YOUR PACKET. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THAT CONTRACT.

BUT I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE BOARD AS TO WHAT THEIR DESIRE IS

ON THIS. >> SINCE YOU PULLED IT, WHAT IS

THE ISSUE? >> AS MR. WARTS SAID EARLIER, THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS WITH THIS CONTRACT.

AND YOU CAN START WITH THE NOTION THAT FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS THERE'S BEEN CONTROVERSY THAT'S MARRED THIS PARADE.

WE'VE HAD A PARADE OF RESIDETS IN HERE TALKING ABOUT THE

[00:40:03]

>> THAT IS NOT TRUE. >> OKAY WHEN WAS THE LAST

SERVICE AGREEMENT? >> THAT IS NOT TRUE.

>> WHEN IS THE LAST SERVICE AGREEMENT SIGNED?

>> MONIQUE. >> WE'VE HAD A THREE YEAR AGREEMENT THAT JUST EXPIRED AFTER THIS PAST 4TH OF JULY

PARADE. >> SO THIS WAS A THREE YEAR

CONTRACT. >> WE HAVE NEVER MADE A PAYMENT

WHEN NOT UNDER CONTRACT. >> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW BECAUSE I

SAW THE DATE AS BEING 2021. >> WERE YOU ON THE COMMITTEE IN

THOSE THREE YEARS? >> JUST THE 2021.

>> YEAH, YOU WERE. >> THE 2021.

NOT THE TWO YEARS THAT I WAS SUSPICIOUS ABOUT FOR NOT HAVING

A CONTRACT. >> AND YOU DIDN'T BRING IT UP THAT YOU THOUGHT WE DIDN'T HAVE A CONTRACT?

THAT YOU WERE JUST SUSPICIOUS? >> I DIDN'T KNOW IF WE DID OR NOT. I'M READING IT NOW THAT THEY'RE REQUESTING A THREE YEAR CONTRACT WITH A RIGHT TO RENEW FOR THREE YEARS WITH MUTUAL AGREEMENT. SO THAT GIVES SIX YEARS POTENTIAL THERE WHICH IS A LONG TIME TO GO BECAUSE THE NONPROFIT THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE IS UNIQUE.

IT'S THE ONLY NONPROFIT THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND, IDENTIFY IN THE TOWNSHIP THAT GETS TAXPAYER MONEY WITHOUT EITHER PERFORMING AN OBLIGATORY SERVICE THE WAY INTERFAITH DOES OR MEALS ON WHEELS DOES OR THAT DOESN'T GO THROUGH VISIT THE WOODLANDS SO THAT THEY CAN DOCUMENT THAT THEY HAVE PRODUCED THE QUOTE UNQUOTE HEADS IN BEDS OR HOTEL OCCUPANCY THAT SUPPORTS THE HOTEL TAXES. SO THOSE TWO QUALIFICATIONS ARE

NOT BEING MET BY THE PARADE -- >> ONE, IF I MAY INTERRUPT FOR CLARIFICATION IS IT DOESN'T HAVE HEADS IN BEDS BECAUSE IT'S FOR US. I SLEEP AT HOME AND ATTEND THE PARADE. I DON'T NEED THAT HOTEL, IT'S FOR THE RESIDENTS AND THAT'S WHY THE TOWNSHIP HISTORICALLY, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, HISTORICALLY HAS FUNDED THIS BECAUSE IT'S FOR ALL OF US, OTHER PEOPLE MAY COME, BUT IT IS FOR US WHO BELIEVE IN THE GREAT COUNTRY THAT WE LIVE IN --

>> IT'S A FAVORITE, IT'S A FAN FAVORITE.

I GET THAT. IT'S A FAVORITE FOR YOU AND FOR PERHAPS MYSELF AS WELL. BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER NON-PROFITS WHO HAVE COME TO THIS BOARD REQUESTING TAXPAYER SUPPORT, REQUESTING SPONSORSHIPS OR PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE TOWNSHIP AND THEY HAVE BEEN DENIED.

AND WHEN THEY REALIZE THAT THIS PARTICULAR NONPROFIT GETS FAVORITE STATUS, ALMOST A FAVORITE NONPROFIT STATUS, WHY WOULDN'T THEY COME BACK AND SAY WELL WE WANT FAVORITE STATUS TOO. LET'S SAVE TAXPAYER MONEY.

>> LET ME POINT TO THE ENABLING LEGISLATION OF THE TOWNSHIP WHICH IN SECTION 7F I BELIEVE IS WHERE THE TOWNSHIP IS GRANTED SPECIFIC POWERS AND AUTHORITIES TO PUT ON IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WHICH INCLUDE CIVIC EVENTS. I DON'T THINK THE NON-PROFITS THAT YOU ARE MENTIONING ARE PUTTING ON CIVIC EVENTS.

>> THEY MIGHT BEG TO DIFFER. >> WHAT I'M SAYING IS THE BACKGROUND HAS BEEN FOR SUPPORT OF THIS PARTICULAR EVENT OVER IS THAT IT IS A COMMUNITY EVENT, A CIVIC EVENT THAT HAS GONE ON FOR AS YOU'VE HEARD EARLIER FOR DECADES.

AND IT HAS ALSO BEEN MENTIONED EARLIER THAT THIS IS NOT AN ALLOWED EXPENDITURE OF FUND AND THAT IS NOT TRUE.

IT IS ALLOWED. NOW COULD IT BE DISCRETIONARY? ABSOLUTELY THAT'S TRUE IT COULD BE DISCRETIONARY, BUT NOT

DISALLOWED EXPENDITURES. >> I THINK WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NON-PROFITS THAT COULD SAY THEY HAVE EQUAL CIVIC DUTIES AND THEY WOULD ASK FOR THE SAME CONSIDERATION. AND WE'VE ALREADY BEEN SUED ONCE THIS SUMMER OVER ISSUES THAT ARE RELATED TO THE PARADE, INDIRECTLY PERHAPS BUT STILL. AND I THINK THAT WE ARE ASKING

[00:45:01]

IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE THE PARADE, I SUGGEST WE BRING IT IN HOUSE AND THAT WAY IT IS JUST LIKE PART OF RED, HOT, AND BLUE.

IT'S VERY SUCCESSFUL, IT'S VERY WELL MANAGED, IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART. AND TO SAY THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A NONPROFIT RUN THE PARADE I DON'T THINK IS VALID.

I THINK WE COULD EASILY BRING IT IN HOUSE AND MANAGE IT IN A WAY THAT'S MORE STABLE. THREE PRESIDENTS IN THREE YEARS AND A MASSIVE BOARD TURNOVER INDICATES SOME PROBLEMS AND THEN HAVING RESIDENTS COME IN TO COMPLAIN, THIS IS NOT A WELL RUN SITUATION, IT IS NOT WELL MANAGED, IT'S NOT WELL RUN, AND I THINK WE AS A BOARD NEED TO LOOK CLOSELY AT WHAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE WITH. AND I FOR ONE THINK THAT EITHER WE SHOULD POSTPONE IT TO GIVE US MORE TIME TO AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE HEARD FROM THE PARADE COMMITTEES SINCE BEFORE THE PARADE. AND THEY KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN CONTROVERSY. THEY KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD RESIDENTS COMPLAINING -- I'M SORRY.

>> I'D LIKE TO COMMENT. >> PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. I'M NOT GOOD AT BEATING AROUND THE BUSH, IT'S NOT ONE OF MY STRONG SUITS.

WHAT I FEEL IS THAT THERE ARE THOSE WHO GET UPSET ABOUT VARIOUS THINGS. AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE OFTEN ALIGNED WITH -- WE HEARD SOMEBODY SPEAK HERE TONIGHT IN THIS VEIN ON THIS TOPIC. I FIND IT TELLING THAT HE LEFT THE SECOND HE SPOKE AND DIDN'T EVEN STICK AROUND TO HEAR THIS DISCUSSION. I FIND THAT TO BE VERY TELLING.

REGARDLESS, THIS IS ABOUT A CELEBRATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY FOR AMERICA. NOW, THERE MAY BE DISAGREEMENTS WITH HOW DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH RESPECT TO ENTRIES, ET CETERA, AND I'M SURE WE ALL HAVE OPINIONS ON THAT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS ASSISTING OUR COMMUNITY IN A MANNER TO CELEBRATE OUR COUNTRY.

GO TO ANY SMALL TOWN, ANY CITY ANYWHERE, YOU WILL FIND THAT PARADE. WE ARE THE GOVERNING BODY, WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THAT CELEBRATION.

IT'S NOT ABOUT LETTING PEOPLE SLEEP IN HOTEL ROOMS, IT'S ABOUT THEM GETTING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE 4TH OF JULY.

THEY DO GO TO THESE STORES, THEY DO GO TO RESTAURANTS, THEY DO GO HAVE DRINKS. ALL OF WHICH IS SPENDING THAT BENEFITS OUR COMMUNITY. THERE IS NOTHING ILLEGAL, THERE'S NO ILLEGALITY WITH RESPECT TO OUR SUPPORT OF THIS PARADE, NOR HAS THERE BEEN. THAT IS A RED HERRING FOR THOSE WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO FIND A WAY TO STOP THIS SUPPORT.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS PROPER AND I DON'T BELIEVE WE NEED TO PUNT AND KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

IF THERE ARE ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO WORK OUT WITH LEGAL AND I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE ISSUES IN THAT CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WHERE THERE ARE SOME PERHAPS STRINGS TIED TO THE MONEY IS THE WRONG WAY TO DEFINE IT, BUT THAT'S THE WAY I'M SUMMARIZING IT.

WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT'S CODIFIED AND TIGHTENED UP.

HOWEVER, I'M GETTING EXTREMELY TIRED OF FEELING LIKE GOOD THINGS ARE BEING HIJACKED BY CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE AND IT COMES THROUGH DIRECTOR GIBBS AND PULLING AND GOING THROUGH THIS EXERCISE. WITH ME READY TO FACE THE BRUNT OF THOSE COMMENTS, THAT IS HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS SITUATION.

AND I AM GOING TO ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS OUR BOARD POLICIES.

YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME AGAIN ON THIS.

BECAUSE FOR TOO LONG THIS ROOM IS GETTING TAKEN OVER AND HIJACKED ON THINGS THAT ARE NOT REAL SOLID BOARD BUSINESS IN MY OPINION. AND I'M JUST ONE, I WILL ONLY GET TO VOTE FOR ONE. THAT IS WHERE I STAND.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE -- I HAVE A QUESTION.

ARE VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS NON-PROFITS?

>> YES. >> DID WE NOT JUST HEAR ABOUT TWO EVENTS THAT VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS THREW, ONE LOVELY INDIAN SPRINGS, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

SO DO WE FUND VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS?

>> YES. >> AND HOW MUCH?

[00:50:01]

>> WHAT'S THE NUMBER, $15,000? >> WE JUST INCREASED IT, I BELIEVE, UNANIMOUSLY ON THIS BOARD.

>> WE ALSO FUND THE WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL.

>> SO DIRECTOR GIBBS, THIS IS NOT AN OUTLIER OR ANOMALY.

WE DO FUND OTHER NON-PROFITS THAT HAVE EVENTS IN THE DEAL.

HERE'S MY TAKE ON IT. I KNOW LATE TODAY THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN BEING WORKED ON. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO READ ALL OF THE CONTRACT AND CONNECT THE DOTS AND ALL OF THAT THING.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO FULLY DIGEST WHAT IT IS, WHAT WE WANT, HOW WE WANT IT. WE HAVEN'T REALLY DELIBERATED ABOUT IT. WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT NOW, I HAVE NO PROBLEM DOING THAT. BUT I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN THE CONTRACT TO BE ABLE TO READ THROUGH IT ALL TO SEE KIND OF WHERE WE'RE AT. I CAN TELL YOU I FIRMLY BELIEVE, THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST 4TH OF JULY PARADES I'VE EVER BEEN TO AND I'VE BEEN A LOT OF OTHER PLACES BEFORE I GOT HERE.

IT'S INCREDIBLE. IT'S A GREAT TESTAMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. IT BRINGS CIVIC PRIDE.

WE'VE HAD A FEW OUTLIERS THAT HAVE FOR THREE YEARS, NOT JUST THIS LAST YEAR, OTHER YEARS THAT HAVE DONE SOME THINGS, BUT THIS IS LIKE 1% OF THE ENTIRE PARADE. AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE'RE SHUTTING EVERYTHING DOWN AND TRYING TO MAKE IRRESPONSIBLE DECISIONS BASED ON THAT. HOWEVER, I WANT TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE AGREEMENT. ALMOST A YEAR AGO TO THE DAY, I VOTED ON THE CAPSTONE BATHROOMS. I DIDN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT AT THE TIME AND FOR THREE MONTHS I HEARD ABOUT ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT GO ON IN BATHROOMS. I DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I FULLY UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT. 4TH OF JULY IS AWHILE.

4TH OF JULY IS NOT JUST AROUND THE CORNER, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S A BETTER PRESIDENT OR MANAGER THAN JOHN POWERS TO WORK WITH US THROUGH THIS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING THE NEEDS AND THAT I CAN TELL YOU THERE'S A 4TH OF JULY PARADE I PARTICIPATED IN ANOTHER TOWN WHEN I WAS IN A CITY COUNCIL THERE, THE TOWN DID RUN IT, BUT THEY HAD STRICT GUIDELINES.

FOR EXAMPLE, ONLY ELECTED OFFICIALS COULD BE IN THE PARADE, NOT CANDIDATES, NOT REPUBLICAN PARTY, NOT DEMOCRAT PARTY, NOT SOCIALIST PARTY, ONLY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

TED CRUZ CAME UP WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR SENATE, HE COULDN'T GET IN THE PARADE BECAUSE THOSE WERE THE RULES.

SO YOU CAN TIGHTEN SOME RULES AROUND THERE TO CREATE SOME OF THOSE OUTLIERS AND SOME OF THOSE OUTLIERS WERE POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE PAST. BUT I DON'T WANT TO SHUT IT DOWN. I DON'T WANT TO BELITTLE THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE. THESE ARE GREAT PEOPLE THAT ARE VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME. JOHN POWERS AND HIS TEAM PUT THIS THING TOGETHER IN LIKE SIX WEEKS.

>> ONE WEEK. >> ONE WEEK AND WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A 4TH OF JULY PARADE THIS YEAR IF JOHN POWERS AND ALL OF THESE PEOPLE THAT HE MENTIONED DID NOT COME TO THE TABLE. AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

I'M SORRY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME OUTLIERS, BUT THAT'S PART OF LIFE AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAME IN HERE TO COMPLAIN WERE NOT THE TOTALITY OF THIS COMMUNITY.

HOW CAN WE NOT SUPPORT THE 4TH OF JULY?

>> AND I THINK TO THAT POINT, IT'S EASY TO LEARN FROM PAST MISTAKES AND I HOPE AND EXPECT THAT THE COMMITTEE HAS DONE THAT IN TERMS OF ENTRIES AND FOCUS AND MESSAGING WITH INSIDE THAT VENUE. WHAT'S IT FOR, IT'S FOR CELEBRATING OUR COUNTRY, THAT'S WHAT I THINK IT SHOULD BE.

AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK IT SHOULD BE ABOUT.

I JUST IN TERMS OF KILLING IT IN GENERAL OR THROWING IT OUT, I THINK THAT IS THE WRONG DECISION AND QUITE FRANKLY I FIND IT TO BE EXTREMELY HYPOCRITICAL. A LOT OF WHAT I'M HEARING FROM MEMBERS OF THIS BODY THAT WERE ON THE COMMITTEE JUST TWO YEARS AGO AND FOUND IT WORTHY ENOUGH TO BE SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD PUT YOUR TIME AND BE ON THE COMMITTEE AND YOU'RE WANTING TO

KILL IT -- >> I THINK MR. WATSON THAT YOU'RE MISREADING MY CONCERN. AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU TAKE SUCH UMBRIDGE WITH MY CONCERNS.

>> BECAUSE I THINK IT'S GAINSMANSHIP.

>> THAT IS YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE AN OPINION AND AS AN ATTORNEY YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN QUITE A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND YOU'RE VERY GOOD AT GOING AFTER YOUR OPPONENTS.

AND I RESPECT THAT, YOU'RE GOOD AT IT.

>> I'M NOT GOING AFTER YOU -- >> THAT'S OKAY, YOU DO GO, YOU DO COME AND YOU ARE VERY AGGRESSIVE IN THAT REGARD.

WHAT I WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN IS I WANT SOME UNIFORMITY AND RESPECT FOR THE GUIDELINES AND FUNDAMENTALLY RESPECT FOR THE TAX MONEY THAT OUR TOWNSHIP PAYS AND THEY EXPECT US TO GUARD AND

[00:55:02]

TO USE WITH PRUDENTIAL JUDGMENT. >> I CANNOT THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO PROTECT OUR TAX MONEY THAN TO HONOR OUR MONEY.

IS THERE A MOTION? MR. WATSON.

>> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT TO FUND THE PARADE SUBJECT TO THE FINAL

REVIEW -- >> I THOUGHT WE HAD A MOVE TO

POSTPONE THE ITEM? >> THERE WASN'T A SECOND.

>> I SECONDED, YOU DIDN'T ASK FOR A SECOND.

>> YOU MADE THE MOTION TO POSTPONE, BUT I DIDN'T HEAR A

SECOND. >> I DIDN'T ACTUALLY MAKE THE MOTION TO POSTPONE, I PULLED IT OUT FOR DISCUSSION.

>> WHAT ARE YOU ASKING FOR? >> I WOULD LIKE TO WAIT TO MOVE THIS -- MY IDEA WOULD BE THIS, LET US READ THE DOCUMENT, I'M NOT TRYING TO CANCEL IT, MOVE IT TO THE JANUARY BOARD MEETING AND LET US GO THROUGH THE DOCUMENT AND UNDERSTAND WHERE EVERYTHING IS AND THEN ON JANUARY WE HAVE IT UP AND WE BRING IT BACK UP

AGAIN. >> AND I SECOND THAT.

>> THERE WAS NOT A MOTION TO POSTPONE, THERE IS A MOTION

PRIOR TO -- >> WE CAN STILL TAKE THIS

MOTION. >> EXCUSE ME, THERE IS A MOTION

FROM DIRECTOR WATSON. >> HE ACTUALLY SAID IT, YOU JUST

DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE IT. >> I DIDN'T HEAR IT.

>> I DIDN'T MAKE IT AN OFFICIAL MOTION.

I DID NOT MAKE AN OFFICIAL MOTION SO KYLE'S MOTION IS ON

THE FLOOR. >> AND I SECOND DIRECTOR

WATSON'S. >> I HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO HIS

MOTION THEN. >> OKAY.

>> AND THAT AMENDMENT IS TO ALLOW FOR THE POSTPONEMENT AND I

SECOND THAT. >> IS THERE A SECOND TO THE

AMENDMENT? >> DID I MAKE THE MOTION OR SHE

MAKE THE MOTION? >> I'M AMENDING HIS AMENDMENT WHICH IS VALIDATING YOURS SO IT NEEDS A SECOND.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT. DO WE HAVE DISCUSSION ON THAT?

>> SO IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO -- I'LL LET YOU

PHRASE IT. >> I'M A LITTLE LOST.

CAN WE DO AMENDMENTS TO MOTIONS AND SECONDS?

>> YES. DIRECTOR GIBBS --

>> SHE EFFECTIVELY WIPED MY MOTION BY IT BEING POSTPONED TO

HER AMENDMENT. >> OKAY, WELL --

>> READ YOUR MOTION AGAIN. >> YOU ARE CORRECT, MR. WATSON.

>> HER AMENDMENT IS TO ELIMINATE MY MOTION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> SO IF YOU WOULD RESTATE YOUR MOTION, RESTATE THE AMENDMENT SO WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

DIRECTOR WATSON. >> YEAH, I AM MOVING TO FUND THE PARADE IN THE REQUESTED AMOUNT SUBJECT TO REVIEW OF THE CONTRACTUAL LANGUAGE WITH COUNSEL.

>> AND I SECOND THAT. >> QUESTION? WHAT IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW CONSIST OF?

>> WHAT MR. WATSON SAID IS REVIEW OF COUNSEL SO I DON'T SEE THAT AS BEING COMING BACK HERE IN A SUBSEQUENT MEETING, THAT IS AN APPROVAL OF THE FUNDING SUBJECT TO REVIEW OF COUNSEL OF

THE AGREEMENT. >> YEP, IN TERMS OF AS I UNDERSTAND IT RIGHT NOW THERE ARE BEING REVISIONS MADE TO THE

PRIOR AGREEMENT THAT -- >> SHOULDN'T WE SEE THE

REVISIONS? >> YEAH, SO LET ME HELP --

>> I HAVE AN IDEA, CAN WE TALK ABOUT IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION

AND BRING IT BACK AFTERWARDS? >> YES, THIS COULD BE TABLED IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE BROUGHT BACK LATER IN THIS MEETING IF

YOU'D LIKE TO DO THAT. >> YOU CAN TABLE IT, BUT WE

ALSO -- DO YOU ALLOW THAT? >> I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH TABLING IT, I'D LOVE TO GO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND TALK THIS OUT BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN THE DOCUMENT AT ALL AND I JUST WANT TO SEE THE DOCUMENT, THAT'S IT, UNDERSTAND IT, I SUPPORT THE PARADE, I BELIEVE IN THE PARADE, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE

WHAT THE CONTRACT LOOKS LIKE. >> SO TO TABLE UNDER YOUR BOARD PROCEDURES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO TABLE.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED?

>> AYE. I'M OPPOSING.

>> AND I'M OPPOSING TOO. SO OKAY.

THAT WILL THEN BRING US TO THE NEXT AND IT'S TO RECEIVE,

[f. Receive, consider and act upon the annual Service Agreement with Interfaith of The Woodlands for senior transportation services (C-2024-0048);]

I PULLED THIS BECAUSE I SERVE ON THE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. IS THERE DISCUSSION?

IF NOT IS THERE A MOTION? >> I'LL MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT IT.

>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. NO DISCUSSION, ALL THOSE IN

FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED? AND ONE ABSTENTION.

THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM K? IS THAT THE NEXT ONE?

[01:00:08]

DID YOU PULL H? >> DID THEY PULL H?

>> YEAH, THEY DID. >> H WAS DEFERRED BY STAFF.

[k. Receive, consider and act upon a contract extension with Texan Tree Depot, LP, for the reforestation stock agreement (C-2022-0215);]

>> OH I'M SORRY. >> K WHICH IS TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON A CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH TEXAN TREE DEPOT, LP, FOR THE REFORESTATION STOCK AGREEMENT.

STAFF IS REQUESTING THIS APPROVAL AND JOHN MCGOWAN DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION WILL DISCUSS.

SINCE YOU PULLED THAT, DIRECTOR GIBBS, QUESTIONS FOR M

MR. MCGOWAN? >> YES, I THINK THAT BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A TRIPLING OF THE BUDGET FOR REFORESTATION AND AT THE SAME TIME THERE HAVE BEEN RESIDENTS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT THE PROCESS FOR PUTTING IN THE TREES HAS NOT BEEN IDEAL AND WE'VE HAD MORE THAN AN EXPECTED ATTRITION OF TREE PLANTING, THE NEW TREES THAT WERE PLANTED AND ALSO QUESTIONS BROUGHT TO ME ABOUT THE SELECTION OF THE TREES THAT WE'RE USING THAT PERHAPS THEY'RE NOT IDEAL, PARTICULARLY THE ONES THAT ARE GOING INTO CREEKSIDE PARK TO BE USED AS BARRIERS.

SO FOR ALL OF THOSE REASONS, I WANTED TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY ABOUT THIS BEFORE WE MOVED FORWARD.

AND IT KIND OF REFLECTS THE SAME KIND OF CONCERN BACK TO K AND L.

>> OKAY, WITH THAT LIKE YOU SAID THE BOARD APPROVED A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THAT LINE ITEM WHICH CONSISTS OF MAINTENANCE, REMOVAL, AND THEN TREE STOCK AND WITH THAT THE FIRST PART IS TO RENEW WITH TEXAS TREE DEPOT WHO WE CURRENTLY HAVE A CONTRACT, THEY WERE BID LAST YEAR AND THEY ARE WILLING TO EXTEND THEIR PRICES AND HOLD THEIR PRICES. THAT WAS THE SAMPLE PALLET THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE WOODLANDS. OBVIOUSLY THE BEST TIME TO PLAN IS NOVEMBER TO MARCH, APRIL THERE IS THE BEST TIME TO DO THAT. WITH 6,000 TREES, THAT'S VERY AMBITIOUS. THAT'S A LOT OF TREES.

SO THE APPROACH WE WERE GOING TO DO IS TO SPLIT THAT UP.

SO IT WAS TO PLANT HALF OF THAT IN THE FIRST FROM JANUARY UNTIL MARCH AND THEN FROM NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER.

I KNOW I'M JUMPING AROUND, THE OTHER ONE WITH THE REASON FOR REJECTING THE BID WITH THE INSTALLER IS AS YOU SEE THERE THE COST, WE DID PUT THIS OUT TO BID AND WE CALLED ALL OF THE CONTRACTORS. MOST INSTALLERS AS YOU MAYBE KNOW OR MAYBE NOT ARE ACTUALLY TREE REMOVAL PEOPLE.

AND OUR OWN ARE ACTUALLY ON THERE.

SO WHAT WE DID IS WE WANT TO REJECT IT DUE TO THE PRICE AND ONLY GETTING ONE BID FROM THAT. WE DID REACH OUT.

BESIDES CALLING THE TEN PEOPLE, WE HAD SEVEN AT THE MANDATORY PREBID BUT WE ONLY GOT ONE BID BACK.

A LOT OF THEM JUST FROM TALKING WITH THEM AND OUR CURRENT TREE REMOVAL CONTRACTORS HAVE SAID THEY JUST DIDN'T WANT TO OVERREACH IS WHAT IT WAS BECAUSE AS YOU WOULD EXPECT WITH TREE REMOVAL RIGHT NOW BUSINESS IS GOOD FOR THEM.

SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH THE REJECTION OF THAT IS TO GO BACK OUT TO BID AND DO SMALLER PACKAGES SO WE CAN GET SOME OTHER ONES CAN BID ON THIS AND WE CAN GET A COUPLE CONTRACTORS IN TO HANDLE THIS LION'S SHARE OF TREES.

>> SO ON THE SELECTION OF THE TREES, ARE YOU MAKING ANY KIND OF EFFORT TO LOOK AT THE GOAL OF THAT BARRIER THAT CREEKSIDE PARK IS DESIRING IN THE KAYAK RIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S DIFFERENT THAN PUTTING IN TREES IN AN ESPLANADE OR A RESERVE THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY FOCUSED ON A BARRIER.

ARE YOU LOOKING AT THAT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY?

>> WE DEFINITELY WORK WITH THAT, THE OAKS AND PINES WE DO, AND THE UNDERSTORY THICKENING UP THE FOREST NOT JUST HAVING TALL TREES EVERYWHERE, BUT OBVIOUSLY THICKENING THE FOREST WITH SOME

>> THAT'S FINE.TLES.- BUT SPECIFICALLY I'M CONCERNED THAT THE BARRIER ABOVE THE FENCE LINE, BECAUSE THERE'S A NICE FENCE THAT SEPARATES THE HOMES FROM THE DRAINAGE DITCH ALREADY.

BUT THEY NEED HEIGHT AND I VISITED A HOME THAT HAD SOME

[01:05:01]

>> THE TREE THAT WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE BID PACKET WERE ACTUALLY OUR PALLET OF TREES THAT WE HAVE INHERITED FOR ABOUT 30 TO 40 YEARS. THESE ARE TRIED AND TRUE TREES.

ARE TREES GOING TO DIE? YES AND THAT'S JUST A NATURAL PART OF THIS WHERE YOU HAVE A DRY SPELL, NO MATTER HOW MUCH WATER YOU'RE GOING TO BE PUTTING ON A TREE, IT STILL HAS THE PROPENSITY TO DIE AS WELL AS SOIL CONDITIONS ARE ALSO AN EFFECTIVE ISSUE OF THAT. WE HAVE INVESTED A LOT OF DOLLARS IN TREES, WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IS WHAT TIME TAKES CARE OF. IF YOU ALLOW THAT FOREST, THAT LITTLE BUFFER OF FOREST 15, 30, 40 FEET OF FOREST TO ACTUALLY GROW AND ACTUALLY DON'T TOUCH IT, IF YOU GET THE WATERING RIGHT, SOME SOIL CONDITIONS RIGHT, THAT FOREST WILL GROW OVER TIME TO PROVIDE THAT BUFFER, NOT TODAY, BUT YOU'RE LOOKING IN THAT 3 TO 5 TO 7 YEAR PROCESS WHERE THOSE HARDWOODS AS JOHN WAS MENTIONING THE PINE TREES THAT ARE ALSO PART OF THIS PACKAGE THAT GROW UP AND PROVIDE THAT BUFFER WHEN YOU'RE GETTING INTO THAT SECOND FLOOR OF THOSE HOMES.

NO MATTER WHAT WE PLANT RIGHT NOW, IT IS NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH UNLESS YOU'RE STARTING TO ADD B&B OR BOX TREES, NOW YOU'RE TALKING 3,000 OR $4,000 A TREE. THIS SELECTION IS THE TRIED AND TRUE PALLET OF TREES FOR THIS AREA THAT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY BURDETT WHICH IS OUR NATURAL RESOURCES CONSULTANT.

THIS PLAN, THE FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN WAS MANY, MANY AWARDS BY PLAN BASED ON THE PALLET, BASED ON THE SELECTION, BASED ON THE APPROACHES THAT WE DO. SOME YEARS WE'RE GOING TO HIT IT OUT OF THE BALLPARK AND WE'RE GOING TO GET GREAT, GREAT ESTABLISHMENT. SOME YEARS WE'RE NOT.

LAST YEAR WHEN WE HAD 60 DAYS OF NO RAIN, NO MATTER HOW MUCH WATER WE COULD PUT IN THERE, EVEN WITH SUPPLEMENTAL IRRIGATION IN THERE, IT WAS TOUGH TO KEEP UP.

I WILL SAY THIS RIGHT NOW, MAY VALLEY ROAD WHERE I LIVE, THERE WERE WAX MYRTLES THAT WERE SMOKED ON THERE.

THE GUYS WATERED IT PROBABLY ONCE A WEEK AND THEY ARE MAKING THEIR WAY BACK. SO THIS DETERMINATION ON THINGS ARE DEAD RIGHT NOW IN NOVEMBER IS NOT THE TEST TO TELL WHEN THEY'RE DEAD. IT IS COMING INTO THE SPRINGTIME PERIOD PROBABLY IN MAY WHEN WE GET THE FULL BLOSSOM.

IF WE GET GOOD RAINS, WE'VE GOT HOPEFULLY A BETTER SHOT TO GET SOME OF THOSE THINGS BACK. SO WHILE THERE MAY BE PERCEIVED SOME TREES DEAD RIGHT NOW, WE ARE HOPING TO GET SOME OF THOSE

BACK. >> JOHN OR CHRIS, DO WE KNOW WHAT THE LANDSCAPING IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE WITH THIS PROJECT?

THEY'RE DOING A LOT OVER THERE. >> WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN THAT FULL PACKAGE YET. WE'RE STILL RELYING ON HARRIS COUNTY. I EMAILED LANDON AGAIN MAYBE LATE LAST WEEK TO SAY HAVE YOU GOTTEN AN UPDATE ON POTENTIALLY MEETING WITH THEM. HAVE NOT HEARD BACK ON THAT ISSUE. I'VE HEARD BACK ON A COUPLE OF OTHER ISSUES THAT WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO LANDON WHICH IS OUR PRIMARY CONTACT FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN A RENDERING OR ANYTHING WHATSOEVER?

>> WE'VE SEEN THE PLOTS OF WHERE EACH HOUSE IS GOING BUT NOT NECESSARILY WHAT THE LANDSCAPE I GOING TO BE IN FRONT BY THAT DRAINAGE POND OR IN THE REAR SIDE WHERE THERE'S MORE

CONNECTIVITY TO THE RESIDENTS. >> WOULD YOU UPDATE THE BOARD ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A NEW BOARD MEMBER WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH THAT PRIOR TO ALLOCATING A MILLION DOLLARS.

WE DID ADD ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND I THINK YOU MADE THAT

MOTION. >> UNDER THE OFFICES OF REFORESTATION TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HEARING IT ON THE AGENDA ITEM, I CAN'T REMEMBER EARLIER THIS YEAR DUE TO SOME RESIDENTS COMMENTS, THE BOARD PUT TOGETHER $182,000 PLUS OR MINUS IN THERE TO BASICALLY PROVIDE A FOREST BUFFER WHICH WOULD BE THREE TREES DEEP. WE RECOMMENDED TWO BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN THE BUDGETED DOLLARS OF THIS YEAR'S BUDGET AND THE BOARD WENT AHEAD AND DECIDED TO PUT A THIRD ROW IN THERE WHICH IS GREAT. WITHIN THE WOODLAND TOWNSHIP'S ACTUAL RESERVE THE 30-FOOT BUFFER BETWEEN THE RESIDENTS, THEN THE DITCH. THOSE TREES WERE PLANTED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE EAST SIDE OF KAYAK RIDGE ONTO THE SOUTH SIDE.

[01:10:06]

>> THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO RECEIVE,

CONSIDER, AND ACT. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. MR. MCGOWAN ALSO COVERED L.

[l. Receive, consider and act upon a rejection of bids for reforestation tree install services (C-2023-0323);]

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> UNLESS YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> I'M SATISFIED. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY

SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

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

>> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM EIGHT.

MR. STALEY. YOU CAN REFER TO PAGES 136-163.

MR. GILL STALEY THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE WOODLANDS AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP IS HERE TO GIVE HIS ANNUAL REPORT AND ON THIS WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT, IT'S HIS REPORT THAT WE CAN HEAR OF ALL OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT HE AND HIS GREAT TEAM HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.

MR. STALEY. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTORS, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ONCE AGAIN PRESENT OUR ANNUAL REPORT OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. TO CLARIFY, THIS ANNUAL REPORT REFLECTS OUR ACTIVITY DURING OUR PHYSICAL YEAR WHICH ENDED AUGUST 31ST. SO WE'RE SEPTEMBER 1 TO AUGUST 31ST. SO I APOLOGIZE IF THERE'S SOME DATES THAT MAY NOT COINCIDE WITH SOME OF OUR ACTIVITY GOING ON TODAY. BEFORE I START, I HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRESENCE OF MY IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR AND FORMER BOARD MEMBER AND SEVERAL OF MY BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE WATCHING LIVE VIDEO. SO I APPRECIATE THAT SUPPORT.

LET'S START WITH -- I'M LOOKING ON HERE.

IS IT LOADED? WE'LL ASSUME THIS IS IT.

NOPE. DO WE SEE IT ABOVE NOW? WONDERFUL. AGAIN IT'S OUR PLEASURE AND PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT OUR ANNUAL REPORT.

FOR THOSE THAT HAVE HEARD THIS REPORT BEFORE, IF YOU ATTENDED ANY OF OUR MEETINGS, BOARD MEETINGS, PARTNER EXECUTIVE BRIEFINGS, YOU ALWAYS SEE THIS, THE STATEMENT OF OUR PURPOSE.

AND THAT'S ALWAYS REINFORCED AND IT'S FOR THE SUPPORT OF OUR BOARD THAT WE ACTED ON THIS BEFORE I ARRIVED WHICH IS NOW ALMOST 19 YEARS. SO WE FOLLOWED THIS CLOSELY FOR MANY YEARS. WE ARE A RESOURCE TO AND ADVOCATE FOR EMPLOYERS. AT ONE TIME, IT USED TO SAY MAJOR EMPLOYERS. WE ASKED FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE BOARD TO CHANGE THAT. WE'RE MORE THAN THAT.

WE REPRESENT SMALL BUSINESS AS WELL, ALL EMPLOYERS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMICS THAT WE ENJOY IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WHY WE EXIST, I'LL SKIP TO THAT IS TO PROMOTE JOB GROWTH AND ECONOMIC VITALITY IN THE WOODLANDS AREA BY RECRUITING COMPANIES AND BY HELPING COMPANIES THAT ARE HERE AND SUPPORT THEM IF THEY NEED TO EXPAND.

WE CALL THAT BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION.

FOR YOUR PRESENTATION TONIGHT I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON THAT.

JUST THE SUCCESSES OF BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION. HERE ARE THE BUSINESS RECRUITMENT PROJECTS THAT WE FORMALLY RESPONDED TO.

14 OF THEM AS YOU CAN READ THERE.

IT'S A RECORD NUMBER FOR US. WE'VE BEEN IN EXISTENCE 26 YEARS TO SEE THAT MANY PROJECTS. IF WE LANDED THEM ALL, WE KNOW WE'RE NOT, BUT IT WOULD BE 2800 NEW JOBS IN THIS COMMUNITY.

BUT WE DID LAND FOUR OF THOSE WHICH AGAIN IS A PHENOMENAL NUMBER BECAUSE THESE PROJECTS ARE ON EVERYONE'S RADAR, NOT JUST OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THE HOUSTON REGION, EVERY CITY IN TEXAS AND NATIONALLY. THESE ARE NOT JUST ON OUR RADAR.

[01:15:05]

THAT'S WHAT WAS GIVEN TO US. THAT'S NOW CALLED NEURICS THERAPEUTICS. I'M PROUD TO SAY THEY'RE IN RESEARCH FOR US ON THE ALEXANDRIA CENTER FOR

TECHNOLOGIES. >> DO YOU HAVE A PHOTO TO SHARE

WITH US? >> UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T.

>> IT'S PHENOMENAL. >> IT'S IMPRESSIVE.

>> IT'S A $200 MILLION CAMPUS TODAY AND THEY'RE STILL BUILDING. THE COMPANY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THEIR FIRST TENANT AND THAT WAS NURIX THERAPEUTICS.

>> IS THAT THE OLD LEXICON? >> IT IS, IT'S THE FORMER CAMPUS OF THE LEXICON. THAT WAS A PROJECT WE WERE INVOLVED IN MANY YEARS AGO. BUT TO SEE THAT REVITALIZED AND I CAN ABSOLUTELY SAY THIS WITH CERTAINTY, THAT IS A WORLD-CLASS LABORATORY THAT WILL OUTDO ANYONE IN THIS COUNTRY, PERHAPS EVEN IN THE WORLD. IT IS THAT REALLY HIGHLY REGARDED. SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

>> HOW MANY EMPLOYEES ARE THEY PLANNING ON BRINGING IN?

>> APPROXIMATELY 100 TO 110, 120.

BUT VERY, VERY WELL PAID JOBS. ABOVE $100,000 AVERAGE SALARY.

>> AND DOES IT NOT HAVE ROOM TO EXPAND?

>> IT IS, THEY WILL HAVE. THIS IS ONE TENANT IN A 320,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING. SO THERE'S TWO MORE FLOORS.

ONE FLOOR, THE BOTTOM ONE IS ALREADY BUILT OUT ON PURE SPECULATION. THAT WAS HUGELY EXPENSIVE ON THE HOPES THAT WE CAN RECRUIT A COMPANY THERE.

SO WE'RE FINGERS CROSSED, WE'RE WORKING ON ANOTHER PROJECT.

IT'S THIS FISCAL YEAR THAT I'M IN, BUT WE'RE HOPING TO FILL ANOTHER BUILDING THERE WITH ANOTHER ONE TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT 100,000 SQUARE FEET. SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

THAT'S CALLED PROJECT RISING SUN THAT WE'RE HOPING TO COME TO FRUITION. ANOTHER ONE THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF IS SELAPONT ADVISORY SERVICES.

SELAPONT WENT INTO A BUILDING THAT WAS VACANT FOR YEARS.

I CALLED IT THE UNICORN. IT WAS THE ONLY OFFICE WAREHOUSE COMBINATION OF THAT SIZE IN THE TOWN CENTER.

WHEN I GOT THE CALL I SAID WE HAVE A UNICORN FOR YOU BECAUSE IT WAS PERFECTLY SUITED FOR WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO AND THAT'S BUILD IT OUT WITH CLEAN ROOM TECHNOLOGIES AND GO IN WITH A CELL THERAPY MANUFACTURING FACILITY.

I HOPE TO INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU PERSONALLY ON TOURS WHEN IT'S READY. WE WILL ACTUALLY SET THAT UP.

LET ME CLOSE WITH JUST THOSE TWO.

THOSE TWO PROJECTS WITH THEIR CURRENT BUILD OUT WILL BE ABOUT $89 MILLION TO YOUR BUDGET IN TAXABLE REVENUE THAT WE DID NOT HAVE BEFORE. I'M NOT COUNTING THE VALUE THAT THEY WOULD BRING IN SALES TAX, I'M NOT COUNTING THE VALUE THAT THEY WOULD BRING IN THOSE RESIDENTIAL HOMES THAT THEY'RE OCCUPYING WITH THE NEW EMPLOYEES AND THE TAXES THAT THEY PAY.

SO WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD TO TAKE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AWAY FROM CALIFORNIA AND BRING THEM HERE.

JUST HAVE TO SAY THAT. >> HOW MANY JOBS --

>> ABOUT THE SAME. >> 100?

>> 100, 110, 120, AT FULL BUILD OUT.

>> WHAT ARE THEY? >> RESOURCE FORCE LAKESIDE.

WHAT WE ALL KNOW AS THE FORMER HEWITT BUILDING, THIS WAS THEIR BUILDING FOR PRINTING OPERATIONS BACK IN THE DAY.

>> GILL, PLEASE TELL ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT ISN'T IT TRUE THAT THAT'S ON TECHNOLOGY FOREST AND LAKESIDE?

>> WELL, IT'S CLOSE. BUT IT'S NOT ACTUALLY.

IT'S ACTUALLY ON RESEARCH FOREST LAKESIDE.

YOU WERE ACTUALLY AT THE GROUNDBREAKING.

>> THE SELAPONT. >> YES.

IT'S IN WHAT WE CALL BUILDING ONE IN THAT COMPLEX.

BUILDING ONE. IT'S LITERALLY BEHIND WHAT WILL BE CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY THAT YOU'VE ALL HEARD ABOUT. IT'S NOT, THERE COULD BE ONE SCHEDULED FOR THAT STREET. WE'RE WORKING ON THAT ONE.

I'M PROBABLY CONFUSING THEM, THEY'RE ALL SHAKING THEIR HEAD.

BUT ANYWAY, I HAVE TWO PROJECTS THAT ARE VERY ACTIVE RIGHT NOW.

ONE WE HOPE WOULD BE ON TECHNOLOGY FOREST BOULEVARD AND THE OTHER ONE AT THE ALEXANDRIA CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGIES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS. THANKS TO YOU, THANKS TO THE TOWNSHIP SPECIFICALLY FOR FUNDING OUR ACTIVITIES WITH THE GREATER USE AND PARTNERSHIP, I'LL TELL YOU THAT THE SELAPONT PROJECT CAME TO US FROM THE GREATER USE OF PARTNERSHIP.

WE WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN THAT WERE IT NOT FOR THEM.

[01:20:01]

BUT WE ALSO KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND PROMOTE OUR COMMUNITY WELL. SO THESE ARE TWO PROJECTS THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD TO HAVE PARTICIPATED ON.

WE WENT TO JAPAN, ACTUALLY MY COO DID, WENT TO JAPAN IN MY ABSENCE. AND FOCUSING ON THE SECTORS THAT FIT US, WE'RE NOT GOING AFTER MANUFACTURING QUITE HONESTLY, WE'RE NOT GOING AFTER DISTRIBUTION, WE'RE NOT GOING AFTER THOSE HEAVY INDUSTRIAL SITES BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE ASSETS. THAT'S NOT WHO WE ARE.

WE'RE OFFICE SPACE, WE'RE LABORATORY SPACE.

WE DID THAT TRIP, WE ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ABERDEEN HOUSTON GATEWAY WHICH IS THE PRECURSOR TO OTC, THE OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE. SO WE PARTICIPATED IN THAT AS WE'VE DONE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

WE ALSO WENT WITH THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP TO CHICAGO TO TALK ONE ON ONE AND ALSO AT A RECEPTION FOR SITE CONSULTANTS.

SITE CONSULTANTS ARE THE GROUPS THAT WE WANT TO IMPRESS.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ONE ON ONE WITH A CEO OF A COMPANY IF YOU WANT TO TRY TO RECRUIT THEM.

BUT YOU CAN GET AN AUDIENCE WITH A SITE SELECTOR BECAUSE THE LARGE COMPANIES CONTRACT THAT WORK OUT.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE TIME OR THE RESOURCES TO DEDICATE TO STUDYING A COMMUNITY OR ALL OF THE AVAILABLE SITES THAT THEY POSSIBLY COULD GO TO. SO WE PAY ATTENTION TO THEM VERY CLOSELY. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED WITH THE GREATER PARTNERSHIP IN A DISCUSSION ON BRAZIL.

WE WERE INVITED TO GO TO BRAZIL, WE COULD NOT MAKE THAT TRIP.

BUT WE ALSO WERE A PART OF THE DISCUSSIONS IN BUSINESS BEYOND BORDERS. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN A CALIFORNIA TRADE MISSION, VERY FOCUSED EFFORT OF US TO GO TO LOS ANGELES, EXCUSE ME SAN DIEGO, LOS ANGELES, AND SAN FRANCISCO. THE FOCUS WAS LIFE SCIENCE QUITE HONESTLY. SO WE SPENT ALMOST A WEEK THERE MEETING WITH VARIOUS COMPANIES UP AND DOWN THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE PARTNERSHIPS FUTURE OF GLOBAL ENERGY CONFERENCE.

THIS IS A UNIQUE EVENT IN THAT IT'S TALKING ABOUT ENERGY TRANSITION. THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE TOPIC YOU CAN PICK UP ANY PUBLICATION, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ENERGY TRANSITION AND THE FUTURE OF ENERGY AND THE PROSPECT AND THE REALITY THAT HOUSTON WILL BE THE FUTURE OF THAT PARTICULAR GROUP OF ENERGY COMPANIES. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN GHP'S LIFE SCIENCE BIO SUMMIT, AGAIN A TARGET MARKET FOR US.

NEW MARK CONSULTING GROUP DID A STUDY, AFTER THAT WAS PRESENTED WE HOSTED THEM IN THE WOODLANDS FOR A TOUR OF OUR ASSETS.

WE ALSO REGULARLY ATTEND BIO INTERNATIONAL, THE LARGEST CONVENTION OF LIFE SCIENCE COMPANIES IN THE WORLD.

IT'S HELD IN TWO CITIES BETWEEN BOSTON AND SAN DIEGO.

THIS PAST YEAR IT WAS IN BOSTON SO WE HAD A DELEGATION GO THERE WITH THE GHB TO MEET WITH COMPANIES AND HOST A BOOTH THE OLD FASHIONED WAY, WORK A BOOTH, EXPOSE YOUR ORGANIZATION AND YOUR COMMUNITY. ALSO I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AND THIS WAS A PLEASURE BECAUSE IT WAS TOTALLY FREE TO GO TO DENMARK. THROUGH A RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH RICE UNIVERSITY'S BUSINESS SCHOOL, WE WERE INTRODUCED TO THE CONSUL GENERAL OF DENMARK. HE INVITED A FEW OF US TO BE HIS GUEST ON AN ENTIRE COUNTRY-WIDE VISIT.

THAT SOUNDS VERY IMPRESSIVE, BUT IT'S LIKE GOING FROM HERE TO SUGAR LAND. BUT WE DID JUST THAT IN TALKING

TO COMPANIES. >> WHEN YOU WENT TO DENMARK IS THERE NOT A I DON'T WANT TO SAY COMPANY, BUT PART OF MERSK IS

ALSO -- >> HAS BEEN HERE FOR DECADES.

THERE'S BEEN A CUSTOMER CARE CENTER IN THE WOODLANDS LONG BEFORE ME. IT'S STILL THERE VERY, VERY ACTIVE. YOU HAVE A QUESTION? NO, I'M SORRY. THE NEXT WAS HUNGARY, WE HAD A VISIT TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR COUNTRY AND WAYS THAT WE CAN CONNECT WITH THEM. INTERESTINGLY, ONE OF OUR LARGEST AND ONLY FORTUNE 500 CORPORATIONS HEADQUARTERS, THEY I RANGED THAT INTRODUCTION BETWEEN THE TWO.

WE ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HOST A GROUP FROM TAIWAN.

THE BIO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE I TALKED ABOUT IS A BIG PART OF WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE. SO IN THEIR TRAVELS FROM TAIWAN TO BOSTON, THEY STOPPED IN THE WOODLANDS AND WE HOSTED THEM

[01:25:02]

WE ALSO TRAVELED UP TO WALKER COUNTY TO OUR FRIENDS UP AT SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY WHO WE PARTNER WITH QUITE A BIT BECAUSE OF THEIR CENTER HERE IN THE WOODLANDS.

STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE PROJECTS GOING TO THAT CENTER WE'RE ABSOLUTELY WORKING ON. BUT WE'RE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF SAM HOUSTON. THIS WAS A SCHOLARLY INNOVATION SUMMIT AND IT WAS A PLEASURE TO MEET THEM.

WE HAD A GREAT LUNCHEON PRESENTATION BY JOHN QUIONES.

HE'S A FABULOUS SPEAKER. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IS HIS SCENARIO. SO HE TALKED ABOUT THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENED AND IF YOU WERE FILMED WHAT WOULD YOU DO, WHAT WOULD YOU REALLY DO IF YOU WERE NOT FILMED.

TEXAS LIFE SCIENCE PROGRAM IS SOMETHING WE'RE PROUD TO PARTICIPATE IN. IT'S HOSTED BY BIO HOUSTON.

WE ARE A MEMBER OF BIO HOUSTON BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH OF THAT SECTOR. AND WE'RE VERY PROUD TO SAY JEFF WADE WHO'S THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF LEXICON, STILL HERE, PRESENTED AT THAT CONFERENCE AND WE WERE VERY PROUD TO SEE HIM THERE. THIS WAS A THRILL TO GO TO THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GOVERNOR'S CUP. WE WERE INVITED TO GO AND BE A PART OF THAT CELEBRATION BY SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE'S ANNUAL EVENT CALLED THE GOVERNOR'S CUP. AND WE TOOK ONE OF OUR COMPANY'S WITH US. AND YOU MET HER, SHE'S THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SELAPONT AND WE WENT OVER TO REPRESENT

OUR COMMUNITY IF YOU WILL. >> SHE ALSO WAS HERE FOR THE ELC

LAST YEAR. >> SHE WAS AND SHE WAS A WONDERFUL PRESENTER. THANK YOU.

WOMEN IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE IS ANOTHER EVENT THAT WE PROUDLY PARTICIPATE IN. MOST OF OUR STAFF ARE WOMEN, THEY SHOULD BE THERE, THEY SHOULD BE A PART OF THAT ORGANIZATION, I'M VERY PROUD THAT THEY DO ATTEND THAT.

WE ATTENDED THE GOVERNOR'S SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT.

AS A RESULT OF THAT WE HAD A FANTASTIC SPEAKER FROM HOMELAND SECURITY THAT TALKED ABOUT CYBER SECURITY.

ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS RIGHT HERE WAS ALSO ON THAT SAME PANEL WITH ME THERE BUT ALSO AT ONE OF OUR EVENTS.

AND OF COURSE THE ION. THAT'S RICE UNIVERSITY'S COLLABORATION INNOVATION CENTER. THEY COME OUT HERE MONTHLY FOR MEETINGS TO BRING LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND PROJECTS THAT THEY'RE WORKING ON.

SO FINALLY BUSINESS RETENTION EXPANSION.

WE ABSOLUTELY PAY ATTENTION TO COMPANIES THAT ARE HERE.

I CAN ASSURE YOU MY COUNTERPARTS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY AWAY FROM US. AS PERHAPS WE DO FROM THEM.

BUT WE PAY ATTENTION TO IT, WE MADE 172 VISITS AS WE CALL THEM, SITE VISITS. THEY REPRESENT 25,489 JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I'VE HIGHLIGHTED SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE CALL EXPANSION PROJECTS.

WOOD FOREST NATIONAL BANK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT EXPANSION PROJECT. WE HELPED FACILITATE AN ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM INCENTIVE.

STATE INCENTIVE HAS NO BEARING, NO IMPACT ON YOUR BUDGET.

IT'S SALES TAX REBATE ON THE 6.25, NOT YOUR TWO CENTS, ONLY THE 6.25. WE ARE ABLE TO FACILITATE FOR THAT TO MAKE A CAPITAL INVESTMENT INTO THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANOTHER ONE WE'RE VERY PROUD OF HAPPENS TO BE IN OUR BUILDING WHITE FLEET ABANDONMENT.

IF YOU'VE NOT HEARD OF OTHRAM, LOOK THEM UP.

THEY'RE IN THE PRESS RECENTLY, THEY'VE BEEN IN THE MEDIA

[01:30:02]

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT. RING ENERGY, WASTE CONNECTIONS ONE OF OUR ORIGINAL COMPANIES THAT WE RECRUITED FROM CALIFORNIA EXPANDING. AND THE CANNON.

THAT'S A UNIQUE OPERATION WE'VE BEEN WORKING IN RECRUITING THEM FOR YEARS SIMPLY BY READING AN ARTICLE.

AND I SAID I'M GOING TO MAKE A POINT TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

THEY ARE AN INCUBATOR, AN ACCELERATOR PROGRAM HERE IN THE WOODLANDS. THEY STARTED ACTUALLY BECAUSE OF SOME VERY GENEROUS LEASE AGREEMENTS IN THE WOOD FOREST COMMUNITY THAT CAME HERE THANKS TO AMITY BANK.

I WILL END WITH THOSE KEY AREAS. THERE'S MORE TO MY REPORT FOR THE SAKE OF TIME AND FOR TRULY EMPHASIZING WHAT WE DO, I'LL CLOSE WITH THAT AND ASK FOR QUESTIONS.

>> ONE, WE'RE ALWAYS HONORED TO HAVE YOU HERE.

I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND SECOND AND IF THERE'S QUESTIONS,

DISCUSSION FOR MR. STALEY. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

DISCUSSION, QUESTIONS? >> I HAVE A QUESTION.

>> YES. >> MR. STALEY, COULD YOU PUT UP THE LAST SLIDE AGAIN, PLEASE, IS IT POSSIBLE SOMEONE COULD PUT IT

UP FOR US? >> I'LL SURE TRY.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING REALLY, REALLY HARD.

JUST SKIP TO A QUESTION, IT ACTUALLY RELATES TO THE WOOD FOREST PROJECT THAT YOU'VE ALLUDED TO.

DID THAT REQUIRE NEW STATE LEGISLATION? YOU MENTIONED TAKING SOME OF THE 6.25 SALES TAX.

HOW DID THAT WORK? >> THAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES. VERY SELDOM USED.

YOU ONLY GET SO MANY PROJECTS PER BUY IN SO WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. BUT QUITE HONESTLY WE'VE HAD ONLY TWO WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I ASKED.

WE DON'T GO OUT AND ACTUALLY SOLICIT THIS BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO THAT.

IT MEANS THEY'RE GOING TO INVEST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND RETAIN OR ADD JOBS. THAT'S WHAT IT'S BASED ON BUT IT'S A STATE PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN IN EFFECT FOR MANY YEARS.

IT'S VERY EFFECTIVE. >> IS IT A TEN YEAR, FIVE YEAR,

30 YEARS? >> FIVE YEARS.

>> GOOD, THANK YOU. >> I HAVE A QUESTION, GILL.

OF THE 13 BUSINESS PROJECT RECRUITMENTS IN THE FUTURE THERE, ARE THOSE ALL COMING FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE?

>> MANY OF THEM ARE. BUT THEY COME FROM FROM PARTNERSHIP GOING BACK TO CELLIPONT AND FROM PARTNERSHIPS, PRIMARILY THEY GO TO GHP AND THEY FEED IT TO THEM BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN COVER A LOT MORE TERRITORY WITH THAT ONE SUBMISSION. THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE GENERATES A LOT OF PROJECTS FOR THOSE OUT OF STATE OR OUT OF COUNTRY.

THEY DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH AN INTRA-TEXAS MOVEMENT.

THEY DON'T PICK SIDES OH YOU COME HERE INSTEAD OF GOING TO DALLAS. THESE ARE PRIMARILY OUT OF STATE

OR OUT OF COUNTRY IN SOME CASES. >> IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET MORE AGGRESSIVE IN RECRUITING FORTUNE 500 CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS FROM CALIFORNIA AND CHICAGO THAT WOULD MAKE OUT OF

THE BOX THINKING? >> WE GET THAT QUESTION.

HE CAME OUT TO MEET WITH US, STEVE IS IT PRONOUNCED CAIN.

USED TO BE CEO OF A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY.

HE ASKED THAT QUESTION, I SAID I'M GOING TO BE VERY FRANK WITH YOU. WOULD YOU AS CEO PICK UP THE PHONE AND ACCEPT A MEETING WITH ME TO TALK ABOUT A RELOCATION.

HE PAUSED, NO. I DON'T KNOW YOU FROM ANYBODY.

I WOULDN'T DO IT EVEN IF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CALLED.

HE SAID WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT DO THAT FOR US.

AND THAT'S THE ABILITY OF SITE SELECTORS.

WHEN COMPANY'S OF ANY SIZE, ESPECIALLY THE SIZE THAT WE RECRUIT, THEY GO TO CONTRACT HELP BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE TIME AND THE RESOURCES TO VET OUT INCENTIVES AND LOCATIONS, NOT BY JUST ONE LOCATION. I ASSURE YOU ALL 14 OF THESE HAD MULTIPLE SITES IN THE AREA. BELIEVE ME, IT'S NOT JUST 1, 2, OR 3 OR EVEN TEN. IT TAKES TIME TO GET THAT DRILL DOWN TO WHERE WE'RE SUCCESSFUL. THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF BUSINESS RECRUITMENT IS THE COMPETITION, WITHOUT A DOUBT.

AND WE LOVE OUT OF THE BOX THINKING, BELIEVE ME.

BUT IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT UNLESS, UNLESS YOU HAVE A

[01:35:03]

I THINK HE CAN DO THAT. AND HE ABSOLUTELY CAME DOWN HERE, WE DIDN'T INVITE HIM. HE ASKED IF HE COULD COME OUT AND MEET WITH US. I WAS VERY, VERY PLEASED WITH

THAT. >> THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE COULD DO TO HELP SUPER CHARGE THAT EFFORT WITH SITE SELECTORS. I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE THAT

MAYBE OFFLINE. >> OKAY.

>> BUT WE'VE GOT OPPORTUNITIES TO GO FIND THOSE AND SO ON SO HOWEVER WE CAN LOOK AT THAT I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT SUPPORT BECAUSE ABSOLUTELY IT'S EXPENSIVE. WE'VE HOSTED SITE SELECTORS IN THIS COMMUNITY. THAT'S A TOUGH PROPOSITION.

YOU INVITE 12, YOU MIGHT GET FOUR.

YOU'VE ALREADY SET THE WHOLE WEEK BEING PLANNED, YOU'VE ALREADY SET ALL OF THE HOTELS AND AIR FARES AND YOU GET FOUR.

THAT'S THE NATURAL GAME. THE BEST WAY TO, GO TO THEM.

GO TO A CITY THAT HAS A CONCENTRATION WHETHER IT'S NEW YORK, CHICAGO, DALLAS EVEN, WE'VE DONE THAT.

GO TO THEM AND TRY TO GET THEM TO COME TO YOU.

AT LEAST AGREE TO MEET WITH YOU. >> OTHER DIRECTORS WHO HAVE

COMMENTS? >> I THINK IT'S A GREAT REPORT, YOU ALL DO A TERRIFIC JOB, THAT'S VERY APPARENT BY YOUR PRESENTATION. KEEP IT UP.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR TO ACCEPT THE REPORT, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?

[9. Receive, consider and act upon the 2024 Service Agreement with The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership (C-2024-0089); ]

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THAT BRINGS US TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON THE 2024 SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE WOODLANDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP.

I CALL UPON -- I'M TRYING TO -- PAGES 161 TO 174, IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SERVICE AGREEMENT, EITHER WE HAVE OUR LEGAL COUNSEL HERE OR PRESIDENT AND CEO.

IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE 2024 SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE WOODLANDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PARTNERSHIP? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FOR MR. STALEY, MS. SHARP, AND/OR MR. STRONG? IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR,

SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES AND WE THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING AND YOUR BOARD VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

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

I CALL UPON KAREN DEMPSEY WHO WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION RELATED TO THE VOTING PROCESS FOR THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE DSC.

AS YOU RECALL WE HAD SEVERAL THREE OF THE FOUR LAST WEEK HERE

TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. >> THANK YOU.

LAST WEEK, THE BOARD DID INTERVIEW THREE OF THE FOUR CANDIDATES. THE CANDIDATES WHO APPLIED TO SERVE ON THE DEVELOPMENTS COMMITTEE ARE ARTHUR, JOHN BROWN, MICHELLE COBURN. THE BOARD HAS TRADITIONALLY MADE THE SELECTION THROUGH A BALLOTING PROCESS WHICH IS SIMILAR TO HOW YOU SELECTED YOUR OFFICERS AT THE LAST MEETING.

I HAVE A BALLOT THAT LISTS THE NAMES OF ALL FOUR CANDIDATES.

WE WILL DO ONE ROUND OF VOTING AND IF ANY TWO CANDIDATES RECEIVE AT LEAST FOUR VOTES, THOSE WILL BE CONSIDERED TO BE THE CANDIDATES WHO ARE SELECTED, THERE WILL BE A SEPARATE MOTION AT THE END TO CONFIRM THAT AS A WHOLE, BUT WE DO USE THE BALLOTING PROCESS TO MAKE IT EASIER.

THESE ARE BY WRITTEN BALLOT, NOT BY SECRET BALLOT, AND WE DO ASK THAT YOU CHECK AT LEAST TWO NAMES OR UP TO TWO NAMES AND THEN SIGN YOUR BALLOT AND THEN RENEE WILL COLLECT THOSE.

[01:40:43]

ARTHUR AND JOHN ANTHONY BROWN. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

I CALL FOR A MOTION AND SECOND TO ELECT THEM TO THE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS COMMITTEE FOR A TWO YEAR TERM.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM --

>> PARDON ME. >> I'M SORRY?

>> WE ALSO NEED YOU TO ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENTS THAT WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION.

>> OH THAT'S RIGHT. I'M SORRY.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE NAMES? I WAS ASKING KAREN IF SHE COULD

REPEAT THE NAMES. >> YES, THEY WERE GIVEN TO US LAST MEETING AND THEY ARE THE SAME THAT WERE ON THE DSC BEFORE. I NEED ANOTHER MOTION TO APPOINT ROBERT ADAMS, JOHN ANDERSON AND JOHN COKER AS THE DESIGNEES TO

THE DSC, IS THERE A MOTION? >> SECOND.

>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED, ALL THOSE IF FAVOR SIGNIFY BY

SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

[11. Receive, consider and act upon a briefing regarding the Harris County Contract Patrol Program (as requested by Chairman Snyder and Director Sekula-Gibbs);]

>> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 11 RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON A BRIEFING REGARDING THE HARRIS COUNTY CONTRACT PATROL PROGRAM BOTH DIRECTOR SEKULA GIBBS AND I PUT THIS ON HERE.

FOR THOSE WHO NEED A REFRESHER, SINCE 2007 CREEKSIDE PARK RESIDENTS HAVE VALUED THE CONTRACT WITH THE SHERIFF AND HIS DEPUTIES WHO PROVIDE THE STRONG COMMUNITY AND APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AS WELL AS INCREASE SAFETY.

THE TOWNSHIP FUNDS 100% OF THE DIRECT COSTS OF 13 PERSONNEL AND WE INCREASED FUNDING FOR TWO ADDITIONAL IN OUR 24 BUDGET.

I'LL DEFER TO DIRECTOR BAILEY AND THEN DIRECTOR GIBBS WHO WERE ALSO AT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT YESTERDAY.

>> I WASN'T THERE. >> OH --

>> YEAH, WENT DOWN TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO CLEAR UP SOME CONFUSION THAT MAY EXIST. THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION THAT WAS ULTIMATELY PULLED OFF THE AGENDA ABOUT IMPACTING RATES FOR CONTRACT DEPUTY PATROL PROGRAMS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF HARRIS COUNTY. FOR US IT'S VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE CREEKSIDE IS IN THOSE AREAS AND IS BORDERING THE AREAS THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED. BUT THERE'S A VERY BIG DISTINCTION TO BE MADE AND THAT IS OUR RESIDENTS IN CREEKSIDE WOULD NOT BE IMPACTED BY THIS BECAUSE WE FULLY FUND OUR CONSTABLES AND DEPUTY PATROL PROGRAM.

AND SO DON'T BE, IT'S ALARMING AND IT COULD IMPACT YOU AS IT'S NEXT DOOR TO YOU SO WE CERTAINLY SUPPORT OR I PERSONALLY SUPPORT THE PROGRAM AND WENT DOWN TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM AND THE PRESENCE AND WORKED AT THESE -- WORK THAT THESE WONDERFUL OFFICERS DO. WE THINK IT'S VITAL, IT'S IMPORTANT, AND IT WORKS. AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS APPRECIATIVE THAT WE SHOWED UP AND HAD THAT MESSAGE.

AND DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS SPOKE AND DIRECTOR SNYDER.

I ENCOURAGED THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT PUBLIC SAFETY REMAINS A PRIORITY AS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> WELL DONE. THANK YOU.

>> YES, AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS SO SUPPORTIVE OF THIS. HE'S ONE OF THE LEADERS I WOULD SAY IN THAT ENTIRE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR

[01:45:04]

AND HE KNOWS THE VALUE OF IT. SO I WANT TO ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT ON HOW IT'S AFFECTING US. IF THAT PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM HAD COME UP AND HAD PASSED, EVEN THOUGH WE DO PAY 100% OF THE CONSTABLE'S SALARY AND WHATEVER THE COSTS ARE FOR THE CONSTABLE, THE DEPUTY AND THE 15 OF THEM WOULD BE GOING FORWARD IN 2024, THERE IS NOW AN 11% ADMINISTRATIVE FEE --

>> PERHAPS, IT HASN'T BEEN VOTED ON.

>> IT HASN'T BEEN VOTED ON, BUT FOM WHAT I'VE READ THAT WAS PART OF IT. SO IF THAT GOES THROUGH, THEN THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL ABSORB AS PART OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP, BUT IT ALSO HAS A POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACT ON MORE SMALLER ENTITIES LIKE MUDS AND HOAS THAT MAY NOW BE BARELY MAKING IT TO HIRE THEIR ADDITIONAL CONSTABLE DEPUTIES AND THEY'RE ABOUT 1,200 OF THESE PRIVATELY CONTRACTED CONSTABLES, DEPUTIES AROUND HARRIS COUNTY IN AND IT COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT OF REDUCING THAT NUMBER. WHAT HAPPENS THEN IT COULD INCREASE CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY. SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS AND TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND HIS EFFORTS TO KEEP THIS PROGRAM GOING.

I DO APPLAUD THIS BOARD FOR BEING FORWARD FACING AND GETTING THAT INFORMATION OUT TO THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE ENTIRE COMMISSIONER'S COURT SO THEY KNOW HOW VITAL IT IS BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT THEY DO. THE CONSTABLES, THEY HAVE A VERY RAPID RESPONSE TIME THAT'S VERY, VERY DESIRABLE WHEN A CRIME IS BEING COMMITTED OR POTENTIAL, THAT RAPID RESPONSE TIME CAN SAVE LIVES. THEY ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY AND THEY'RE VERY, VERY VISIBLE AND THAT VISIBILITY IS A DETERRENT.

IT'S A WONDERFUL DETERRENT. I WANT TO THANK THE CONSTABLES THAT ARE HERE AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE, THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY FOR US.

AND THIS BOARD, I BELIEVE IS TOTALLY SUPPORTIVE AND UNANIMOUS IN OUR SUPPORT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> I'M CONFIDENT IF THERE IS A CHANGE THAT REQUIRES US TO PAY AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE THAT THAT WILL BE SUPPORTED.

>> OF COURSE IT WILL. >> NOT TO WORRY.

>> YES. BUT WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THEY'RE BOTH HERE, SERGEANT SURLEY WHO HAS HANDS ON AND CAPTAIN SITZ. WE ARE THANKFUL YOU ARE HERE AND THANKFUL FOR CONSTABLE HERMAN WHO HAD ALSO BEEN ENGAGED IN CONVERSATIONS. THIS IS FACT, IT IS NOT A INITIATIVE TO PULL THE OFFICERS FROM CREEKSIDE PARK.

IT IS NOT, IT WAS LOOKING AT PERHAPS ADJUSTING THE SALARY HOURLY RATE. AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AS WELL AS CONSTABLE HERMAN WANTED US AS A BOARD TO BE SURE THAT THE RESIDENTS KNEW THAT AND SAFETY IS IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE LIVE IN THIS GREAT COMMUNITY.

SO WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, IS THERE A MOTION TO

RECEIVE THE REPORT? >> MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY. BUT YOU DON'T NEED TO, BUT WE

[12. Receive, consider and act upon approval of the release of a Request for Proposal for holiday lights along The Woodlands Waterway; ]

WOODLANDS WATERWAY. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

FURTHER DISCUSSION?

[13. Receive, consider and act upon an extension of the term for the Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee and the related appointments to the Committee;]

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 13. TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON AN EXTENSION OF THE TERM FOR THE AD HOC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND THE RELATED APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMITTEE. IF YOU WOULD REFER TO PAGES 206-209 IN YOUR BOARD PACKET, IT ADDRESSES THE APPOINTMENTS AS WELL AS THE CONTINUATION. IF YOU RECALL LAST JANUARY WE REINSTATED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE FOR ONE

[01:50:01]

IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

IS THERE DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY

[14. Receive, consider and act upon appointments to the 50th Anniversary Task Force; ]

SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 14 WHICH ADDRESSES APPOINTMENTS TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY TASK FORCE WHICH HAS BEEN WORKING ON NUMEROUS INITIATIVES TO HELP THE WOODLANDS CELEBRATE OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN OCTOBER OF 2024. I CALL FOR A MOTION AND SECOND TO AFFIRM THE CHAIRMAN'S APPOINTMENTS OF DIRECTOR LINDA NELSON, DIRECTOR BRAD BAILEY, AND DIRECTOR CINDY HISER TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY TASK FORCE. IS THERE A MOTION?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

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

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 15. YOU CAN REFER TO PAGE 210.

THIS IS A MOTION AND SECOND TO AFFIRM THE APPOINTMENTS OF DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS AND DIRECTOR HEISER TO THE AUDITS COMMITTEE. WE CAN HAVE THREE DIRECTORS IF ANOTHER DIRECTOR WOULD LIKE TO SERVE ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.

>> I WILL. >> YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO IT?

>> I DROPPED MY PEN. >> I THOUGHT YOU JUMPED UNDER

THE TABLE. >> I CALL FOR A MOTION AND SECOND TO AFFIRM THE CHAIRMAN'S APPOINTMENTS OF DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS, DIRECTOR HEISER, AND DIRECTOR FRANKS TO THE

AUDITS COMMITTEE? >> SECOND.

>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

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

AYE? >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED? IT PASSES.

THAT BRINGS US TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.

REFER TO PAGES 211-214. I CALL FOR A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPOINT DIRECTOR CINDY HEISER AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR A 12 MONTH TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024, OR UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS ASSIGNED.

I DID WANT TO MAKE A NOTE, DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS HAS SERVED ON THIS BUT HAD A CONFLICT WITH THE EVENING SO SHE REGRETFULLY WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REAPPOINTED. IS THERE A MOTION?

>> MOVED. >> SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THAT BRINGS US TO THE

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

I CALL FOR DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS TO THE COMMITTEE.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IF FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. WE GENERALLY ARE THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT, SEKULA-GIBBS SO I HOPE YOU DON'T LET US DOWN.

>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT. >> JUST IS A SIDE NOTE THERE.

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

AND I CALL UPON KAREN DEMPSEY, OUR CHIEF ADMINITRATIVE OFFICER

TO PRESENT. >> THANK YOU.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BYLAWS FOR THE CVB, THIS BOARD APPOINTS THREE DIRECTORS AND THEN THOSE THREE DIRECTORS DETERMINE THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS THAT WILL SERVE ON THE BOARD OF THE CVB.

THIS HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN DONE THROUGH A BALLOTING PROCESS WHERE THE CHAIR RECOMMENDS THREE DIRECTORS, HOWEVER ANY OF THE DIRECTORS MAY VOTE FOR ANY OF THE DIRECTORS WHO ARE THEY ARE INTERESTED IN APPOINTING TO THAT BOARD.

SO THE CHAIRMAN'S RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE PRE-PRINTED PART OF THE BALLOT ARE BRAD BAILEY, RICHARD FRANKS, AND LINDA NELSON.

YOU WILL SEE A SECTION FOR WRITE INS AND A LIST OF ELIGIBLE DIRECTORS WHICH IS ANY OF THE SEVEN DIRECTORS ON THE BOARD.

ONCE AGAIN IF YOU CAN CHECK THE THREE NAMES AND THEN SIGN THAT BALLOT, THESE ARE BY WRITTEN BUT NOT SECRET BALLOTS.

[01:55:51]

WERE THE SELECTIONS. >> I CALL FOR A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE DIRECTOR BAILEY, DIRECTOR NELSON, AND DIRECTOR FRANKS AND RECOMMEND NICK WALDA, ARE YOU HERE? OH GOOD. YOU GOT A HAIRCUT.

>> YEAH, FRESH. LOOK AT YOU, NICK.

>> YOU PROBABLY CAN'T SAY THAT. RECOMMEND NICK WALDA TO SERVE FROM JANUARY 24 THROUGH DECEMBER 2024.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THAT BRINGS US TO THE VILLAGE

[19. Receive, consider and act upon an update regarding the Village Presidents' Council;]

>> YES, WE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL MEETING THIS MONDAY OF PRESIDENTS' COUNCIL. SHERIFF HENDERSON CAME AND DID A VERY THOROUGH ONE-HOUR PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL.

I THINK IT WAS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

THEY HAD SOME VERY GOOD QUESTIONS.

HE REASSURED THEM ABOUT THE CONTINUING LEVEL OF CONTROL AND CRIME IN THE WOODLANDS. ALSO THERE WERE SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU HEARD THINGS ABOUT THE IMMIGRANT ISSUES AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS. HE SAID WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY OF THOSE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY. SO IT WAS A VERY GOOD MEETING, THEY WERE ALL ABLE TO ASK THE KIND OF QUESTIONS THEY WANTED TO ASK. I THINK IT WAS VERY REFRESHING FOR THEM TO HAVE THAT AND IN GENERAL THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY

RUMORS ABOUT -- >> RICHARD, DID HE ADDRESS THE HOMELESS AT ALL AND HOW TO BEST DEAL WITH THEM?

>> HE DID NOT AND NOR DID THE QUESTION COME UP INTERESTINGLY

ENOUGH. >> OKAY.

WE ADDRESSED IT THE OTHER DAY AT AN EVENT THAT I WAS AT AND MISSY HERMAN WAS THERE WITH INTERFAITH AND THEY'RE MORE THAN PREPARED TO HANDLE THOSE SITUATIONS. SO WE'VE TALKED IN THE PAST ABOUT REALLY NOT GIVING THEM ANYTHING, BUT GIVING THEM INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO GET TO INTERFAITH.

AND THEY CERTAINLY HAD A WHOLE LOT OF IDEAS THAT THEY CAN DEAL

WITH THEM. >> I WANT TO CORRECT THAT.

HE MENTIONED THE FACT THAT IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM LEGALLY TO DEAL WITH THE HOMELESS FOLKS. BUT THEY DO HAVE A PROGRAM, LET ME CORRECT MYSELF, THEY HAVE A PROGRAM OF REFERRAL TO GET THEM

THE KIND OF HELP THEY NEED. >> RIGHT, WE CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH TO GIVE THEM THAT INFORMATION VERSUS GIVING THEM

MONEY OR FOOD OR SOMETHING. >> WE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM EVERY VILLAGE PRESIDENT. THERE WAS SOME TALK ABOUT MAYBE WE SHOULD CHANGE THE MEETING FORMAT SOMEWHAT.

SOME SUGGESTED THAT WE GO TO ZOOM AND BASICALLY THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY ANYONE. I THINK THEY ALL VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE LIVE MEETING AND WE ALSO HAD STAFF THERE AND THEY DID A GREAT JOB, PARTICULARLY KAREN ANSWERED SOME QUESTIONS THAT THEY HAD ABOUT SEVERAL ISSUES AND CHRIS HAD HIS NORMAL GREAT REPORT ON ACTIVITIES COMING UP.

THEY REALLY VERY MUCH APPRECIATE GETTING THAT AND TAKE THAT BACK TO THEIR VILLAGE ASSOCIATION MEETINGS AND SHARING THAT

INFORMATION. >> WE WERE ON A CALL LAST NIGHT WHERE SOMEONE WAS PRAISING THAT AND SO KUDOS.

>> THAT'S ALL RICHARD, THAT WAS A GREAT IDEA OF YOURS.

AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEARING A LOT OF FRUIT SO

GOOD JOB. >> AND HE MADE SURE IT HAPPENED.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

[20. Receive, consider and act upon appointments to the Village Presidents' Council;]

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 20.

WE ARE MOVING. I REFER YOU TO PAGE 223 --

>> IS YOUR WATCH BROKE? >> AND I CALL FOR A MOTION AND A

[02:00:07]

IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IF FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?

[21. Receive, consider and act upon adopting the Board of Directors meeting schedule for 2024;]

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 21. YOU CAN REFER TO PAGE 224 TO 225 REGARDING THE ADOPTING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING SCHEDULE. I DO HAVE ONE ADDITION IT IS TO ADD -- IF YOU RECALL LAST YEAR WE HAD THREE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS THAT WERE VERY BENEFICIAL TO US AS WE LOOKED FORWARD AND WOULD LIKE TO ADD ON THE MEETING SCHEDULE JANUARY 19TH AS A STRATEGIC PLANNING.

WE GENERALLY MET AT 8:30 IN THE MORNING UNTIL NOON.

IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MEETING SCHEDULE?

>> SO MOVED. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

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

>> AYE. >> OPPOSED THE MOTION PASSES.

THAT BRINGS US TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THERE IS A NEED TO RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION THIS EVENING.

I HEREBY ANNOUNCE THAT THE BOARD WILL RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO 551.072, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, DELIBERATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO 551.087, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS PURSUANT TO 551.074, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE; DISCUSS IT NETWORK OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY PURSUANT TO 551.089, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE; AND TO CONSULT WITH THE W WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP, HE'S ALREADY THERE, ATTORNEY PURSUANT TO

[23. Reconvene in public session;]

>>> IT IS NOW 8:33, WE WILL NOW RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION AND TURN IT OVER TO OUR LEGAL COUNSEL, MR. STRONG.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN SNYDER. TO RECAP WHERE WE ARE, IT WAS REQUESTED TO TABLE THIS ITEM. WE ARE NOW, I ASSUME THERE'S GOING TO BE A MOTION TO BRING THIS ITEM FORWARD AGAIN.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> CALL ON DIRECTOR WATSON. >> HAS 7C BEEN RECALLED?

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> IN LIGHT OF THAT, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SERVICE AGREEMENT RELATED TO THE SOUTH COUNTY 4TH OF JULY PARADE WITH THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE COMMITTEE AND FOR THIS TOWNSHIP TO FUND THE $25,000 FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, TRAFFIC, AND CROWD CONTROL AND EVENT INFRASTRUCTURE IN A FORM THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE APPROVED BY LEGAL COUNSEL AND WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE TOWNSHIP.

>> IS THERE A SECOND? DIRECTOR BAILEY.

DISCUSSION? >> DISCUSSION.

SO THANK YOU FOR THESE REVISIONS AND FOR THIS MODIFICATION IN THE CONTRACT. THIS IS VITAL FOR US AND THE FACT THAT IT WAS PRESENTED TO US REAL TIME IS INTERESTING, I'LL SAY THE LEAST. BUT I THANK YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE IT DOES REMEDY MANY OF THE CONCERNS THAT I VOICED EARLIER.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT. SO IT IS WHAT IT IS.

WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHAT WE HAVE AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE THIS EARLIER, BUT I'M GRATEFUL WE HAVE IT NOW.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT, COUNSELLOR AND I THINK THIS WILL

WORK OUT. >> THANK YOU.

LET ME CLARIFY I THINK THE MOTION THAT DIRECTOR WATSON MADE WAS THAT IT IS SUBJECT TO LEGAL COUNSEL AND PRESIDENT CEO APPROVAL. SO OBVIOUSLY IF THERE ARE ANY SPECIFIC LANGUAGE ISSUES RELATED TO WHAT YOU SEE OR WHAT YOU'VE SEEN OR WHAT YOU SEE IN THE COMING DAYS, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

>> THAT'S PART OF THE AGREEMENT. >> WHICH WAS MY ORIGINAL MOTION

AN HOUR AND A HALF AGO. >> YEAH, BUT I DIDN'T SEE THE CONTRACT. I JUST WANTED TO SEE A CONTRACT,

I HEARD ABOUT IT IN THE HALLWAY. >> OKAY, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. OTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, WE'LL TAKE A VOTE. DIRECTOR BAILEY.

>> YES. >> DIRECTOR FRANKS.

>> YES. >> DIRECTOR HEISER.

>> YES. >> DIRECTOR NELSON.

>> YES. >> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS.

[02:05:02]

>> YES. >> DIRECTOR WATSON.

>> YES. >> AND DIRECTOR SNYDER, YES.

MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU BOTH MR. STRONG AND MS. SHARP. AND WE APOLOGIZE TO EVERYONE THAT IT DID NOT APPEAR IN THE PACKET, BUT IT WAS JUST EDITED OR RED LINED THIS AFTERNOON AT 5:00 OR 5:30.

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

ARE THERE ANY AGENDA ITEMS? >> I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST A ITEM WITH THE CREATION OF A BUDGET TASK FORCE.

>> CREATION OF BUDGET TASK FORCE.

OKAY. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> I THINK I'VE ASKED FOR THIS BEFORE BUT MAYBE NOT.

BUT I WAS HOPING TO HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE USAGE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE PATHWAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

LOOKS LIKE WE WON'T MAKE THAT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I THINK FIRST OF NEXT YEAR WOULD BE HELPFUL BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW. AND IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO REVIEW

THAT. >> ANYTHING ELSE?

>> YEAH, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE BOARD

RULES. >> ANYTHING ELSE? IF NOT, THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA, THANK YOU ALL, AGENDA

[25. Board announcements; and]

AND ALSO VERY APPRECIATIVE OF OUR INCREDIBLE STAFF.

TO THE BOARD, KNOW WE'RE HAVING A HOLIDAY BREAKFAST NEXT WEEK AND HOPE THAT YOU CAN STOP BY TO RECOGNIZE AND IT WILL BE VERY INFORMAL AND WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? >> I'M SORRY, CHAIRMAN SNYDER, COULD I ASK YOU TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON MY BEHALF WHICH IS VERY ODD. OUR DIRECTOR OF BUDGETING PROCUREMENT IS RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS 24 YEARS OF SERVICE.

>> WE HAVEN'T VOTED ON THAT. WE'RE NOT SURE WE'RE GOING TO

ALLOW IT. >> JOHN, IF YOU WOULD COME UP SO WE CAN PERSONALLY SAY THANK YOU. YOU'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME AND HAVE HELPED US ALWAYS HAVE SUCH GREAT NEWS.

FIRST MONIQUE AND THEN KELLEN, WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF

EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IT'S BEEN 24 YEARS. I LOVED WORKING FOR MONIQUE.

I'VE HAD EXCELLENT STAFF. EVERYBODY THAT I'VE WORKED WITH HERE HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL. I RECOGNIZE JOHN POWERS.

WORKED WITH JOHN FOR A LONG TIME.

YOU GUYS, EVERY BOARD I WORKED WITH, IT'S BEEN FUN.

IT'S BEEN A FUN JOB. I WILL SAY THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE THANK YOU.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS, IT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 26.

IT IS 8:41 AND IS THERE A MOTION THE ADJOURN?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.