[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;]
[00:00:16]
SEVEN WELCOME TO THE THE WOODLANDS MEETING FOR TODAY.
WE ARE HONORED TO WELCOME REVEREND MARKS ARE SENSING ARE PASTORE OF THE THE WOODLANDS METHODIST CHURCH . HE RECEIVED HIS MASTER OF DIVINITY FROM ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND HAS BEEN IN MINISTRY FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS. THAT IS A LONG
TIME. >> THANK YOU, THAT IS WHERE THE
GRAY HAIR CAME FROM. >> HELPING PEOPLE, MAKING THINGS GOOD. ALSO RINGING COMMUNITY THROUGH FELLO CHILDRET RECENTLY HAVE A GRANDSON SO CONGRATULATIONS. REVEREND, HE WILL LEAD US IN OUR INVOCATION THIS EVENING .
>> IT IS A JOY, HONOR TO BE HERE, REST ASSURED AS A PASTORE I ALWAYS HAVE A PRAYER READY SO JOIN ME IN A WORD OF PRAYER.
LET'S PRAY TOGETHER. >> HONORED TO HAVE YOU HERE. THIS EVENING WE HAVE SOME VERY SPECIAL GUESTS WITH US. BOY SCOUT OF AMERICA TROOP , 11 EIGHT ZERO, AS WELL AS TROOP 78, PRESENTED IT FROM TROOP 772 . THEY WILL LEAD US THIS EVENING AND OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE GREAT COUNTRY AND ALSO TO OUR TEXAS. YOUNG MEN, IF YOU WOULD COME FORWARD, PLEASE . IF EVERYONE WOULD
PLEASE STAND. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE HERE. IT IS ALSO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU ARE STAYING FOR PART OF OUR
MEETING. >> WELCOME . WITH THAT, WE DO
[2. Proclamations;]
HAVE SEVERAL PROCLAMATIONS THIS EVENING. I WOULD BE REMISS BEFORE WE DO OUR PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING SERVICES OF OUR THE WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT , TO MENTION DEPUTY CHIEF WAYNE WALKER. FIREFIGHTER 40 YEARS, SPENT 30 YEARS IN THE THE WOODLANDS KEEPING US SAFE.THE SERVICE THIS AFTERNOON, CHIEF, VERY TOUCHING, MEMORABLE. WITH THAT, I CALL ON DIRECTOR NELSON TO READ THE
PROCLAMATION >> FIRST I AM HONORED TO READ THIS, I THINK I CHANGED THE WAY I LOOKED AT FIRE
[00:05:07]
DEPARTMENTS AFTER I WENT TO THE TRAINING SITUATION, CENTER, AND I WILL NEVER LOOK AT A FIREMAN DIFFERENTLY, HOW HARD THAT WAS.IT WAS EYE-OPENING, ALL I CAN SAY. IN THIS PROCLAMATION I WILL TALK ABOUT A SPECIFIC TIMEFRAME OF WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH, THOSE OF US THAT SAW IT ON TV, SAW THE CUBICLES, HOW HARD IT WAS TO GET INTO THOSE INDIVIDUAL SPACES, BREAKING GLASS, JUST AMAZING. I AM SO HONORED TO BE GIVING THIS PROCLAMATION. BE IT PROCLAIMED THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SUPERIOR EMERGENCY SERVICE AND LIKE SAFETY EDUCATION TO THE COMMUNITY, UTILIZING A HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE AND DEMONSTRATING CARE FOR OUR CITIZENS AND EACH OTHER.
CELEBRATING ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY . WHEREAS THE THE WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT IS STAFFED WITH FULL-TIME COMMISSION FIREFIGHTERS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS ON DUTY 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WHO ARE FULLY TRAINED TO RESPOND TO A WIDE VARIETY OF EMERGENCIES INCLUDING COLLAPSED RESCUE, FIRE, HAZARDOUS MATERIAL EMERGENCIES, I ANGLE RESCUE, MEDICAL CAUSE, SWIFT WATER RESCUE, TRENCH RESCUE AND WHEREAS ON FEBRUARY 7, 2024, THE THE WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDERS TO A FIVE ALARM FIRE AT KEEPS MY STORAGE SELF STORAGE , ON SAWDUST WROTE, ONE OF THE THREE BIGGEST FIRES IN THE AREA. THIS CENTURY . WITH OVER 100 FIREFIGHTERS, NINE LETTER TRUCKS, 22 INCHES, MULTIPLE SUPPORT UNITS AND CHIEF OFFICERS CALLED TO THE SCENE WHICH CONTINUED INTO THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 8, 2024. WHEREAS, THE HEIGHT. OF THE FIRE THE WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TWO FIRETRUCKS, 6 INCHES, TWO CHIEF OFFICERS, HAZMAT TRUCK, A RESCUE TRUCK, TWO DRONES AND GAINS IN FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS, FURTHERMORE EVERY DEPARTMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND MANY FROM NORTH HARRIS COUNTY HAD UNITS EITHER AT THE FIRE OR FILLING IN AT THE STATIONS IN THE WOODLANDS AND SOUTH MONTGOMERY COUNTY. WHEREAS EACH FIRE FIRE ENTERING THE BURNING STORAGE UNITS WITHOUT THOUGHT TO PERSONAL SAFETY EXEMPLIFY DEVOTION TO THEIR DUTY AND THEIR PROFESSIONS AND RECOGNITION THAT EVERY DAY THE WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL ANSWER THE CALLS TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SERVICE , PROTECTION TO THE RESIDENCE OF THE WOODLANDS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WITHOUT SEEKING RECOGNITION IN RETURN.
THEREFORE I LINDA NELSON ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP DO HEREBY PROCLAIM FAIRBURY 22ND, 2024 AS THE WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT APPRECIATION DAY.
>> WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE CHIEF AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT SERVE ALL OF US IN ARE TO COMMUNITY. IT IS AN HONOR TO HAVE THEM HERE THIS EVENING TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE .
THAT BRINGS US TO OUR SECOND PROCLAMATION, I CALL ON OUR
[00:10:02]
RECOGNIZING THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATORS THEY, DIRECTOR SCHOOL GIVES WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION.>> THANK YOU, GERMAN SCHNEIDER. BE IT RECLAIMED WHEREAS THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATORS , PROFESSIONALS, AS TO INFORM, EDUCATE AND ENGAGE THEIR COMMUNITIES, WHEREAS, ROBUST COMMUNICATION IN GOVERNMENT CREATES TRUST AND INSPIRES TO TO TAKE ACTION AND BE INVOLVED, WHEREAS, GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS CREATE RELATIONSHIPS AND CALLS TO ACTIONS, BUILD AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING THROUGH STORYTELLING AND ENGAGING AND FOSTERING ENGAGEMENT ON CIVIC ISSUES, USING ALL CHANNELS TO INCLUDE PEOPLE IN CRITICAL DECISIONS. WHEREAS, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE STRONG COMMUNICATIONS THE GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE IT IS A FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENT OF LIVING IN A DEMOCRACY, WERE CITIZENS HAVE THE FREEDOM TO MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD. WHEREAS, THE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY HAS GREAT APPRECIATION FOR COMMUNICATIVE, PROFESSIONALISM, DEDICATION, HARD WORK, ENTHUSIASM. WHEREAS, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TOWNSHIP WISHES TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT WHO DEDICATE THEIR CAREERS TO ENSURING THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP HAS EFFECTIVE, IMPACTFUL SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES THAT RESONATE AND ARE RELEVANT, DETERMINE OF THE 24, 2024, AS GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATOR' DAY .
>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR GIVES. WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM OF
COMMUNICATORS. >> COMMUNICATORS?
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT, COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT HERE WITH US THIS EVENING SO PLEASE COME SO WE MAY HONOR YOU.
[3. Call meeting to order;]
IT IS 6:14, 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 MEMBERSHIP BE IN ATTENDANCE TO ESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS.I ASK EACH BOARD MEMBER TO PLEASE INDICATE HIS OR HER PRESENCE BY RESPONDING WITH SOME AUDIBLE SOUND OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT AS A CALL THE ROLL CALL.
>> DETERMINED THAT SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF MEMBERS ARE PRESENT
[4. Receive, consider and act upon adoption of the meeting agenda;]
TO DECLARE THAT WE HAVE A QUORUM. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 4, RECEIVE CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE ADOPTION OF THE MEETING AGENDA . YOU'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE AGENDA ON PAGES ONE THROUGH THREE, YOUR BOARD PACKET, AND I WILL CALL FOR EMOTION, BUT I DO HAVE ONE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE BOARD CONSIDER MOVING AGENDA ITEM 13 TO PRECEDE AGENDA ITEM EIGHT.>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR
SIGNIFY BY SAYING TO KATE. >> AYE.
[5. Recognize public officials;]
>> OPPOSED ? MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU . THAT BRINGS US TO
[00:15:07]
RECOGNIZE PUBLIC OFFICIALS, WE DO NOT HAVE -->> WE DO NOT HAVE THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL, BUT WE HAVE CONGRESSMAN WESLEY HUNTS DISTRICT DIRECTOR HERE. LISSA GILBERT, NEIGHBORING CONGRESSMAN, NEVER HAVE TOO MANY FRIENDS IN CONGRESS, CORRECT?
>> SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU, CONGRESSMAN GILMORE.
>> I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A SCOUT. >> TRENCH WITH THEM.
>> WHICH ONES ARE THEY WAS ONE ?
>> THEY BETTER BE ABLE TO GIVE THE PUBLIC SERVICE TESTIMONY
[6. Public comment;]
AND TRUTH . >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR BAILEY.
THAT BRINGS US TO THE AGENDA ITEM 6, PUBLIC COMMENT, WE HAVE TWO INDIVIDUAL SIGNED UP . PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN OPEN MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WELCOMED AND ENCOURAGED. A PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA IS INCLUDED AND ALL REGULAR BOARD MEETING AGENDAS 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 ACCEPT WITH FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATING IN PUBLIC MEETINGS. EACH PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESSTHE BOARD MUST FIRST SIGN THE SPEAKER'S ROSTER PROVIDED BY THE BOARD SECRETARY. INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS, ADDRESS A TOPIC THAT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA, OR WHO WISH TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS MUST DO SO UNDER THE 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. IF THERE ARE MORE THAN 15 SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, EACH SPEAKER WILL THEN BE LIMITED TO THE TWO MINUTES REGALIS OF THE NUMBER OF TOPICS. SPEAKERS WILL BE TAKEN AND THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY SIGNED UP . SPEAKERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO YIELD THEIR TIME TO ANOTHER SPEAKER ON THE LIST. STATE LAW PROHIBITS THE BOARD FROM FORMALLY ACTING ON A SPECIFIC ITEM OR PUBLIC COMMENT UNLESS IT APPEARS ON THE POSTED AGENDA. THEREFORE, ANY BOARD DISCUSSION OF ITEMS NOT INCLUDED ON THE POSTED AGENDA IS LIMITED TO QUESTIONS FOR CLARIFICATION 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 BOARD MEMBER . ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE PLACE YOUR CELL PHONES ON THE SILENT MODE. OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT IS MY -- MARK MINOR . NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK, WELCOME.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? >> I RISE TO THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATE YOU ON ASKING FOR THE AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE FALL TWICE A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO REVIEW NOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO -- ONCE A YEAR INSTEAD OF TWICE YEAR, WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED IN THE FIRST EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS OF MONITORING THAT FAULT, QUITE STARTLING. DURING THE FIRST FIVE YEARS THAT WE STARTED MONITORING THE FAULT, WE HAD VERY LITTLE MOVEMENT. WE ONLY SAW , BY THE WAY A FAULT , YOU KNOW DROPS ON ONE SIDE, OR RISES TO THE OTHER, BUT LOOKING AT A DIFFERENTIAL CHANGE, MUST SEE A SEPARATION ON THE DOWN THRONE, ONE SIDE OF THE FAULT. FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS WE HAD VERY NOMINAL CHANGE, BUT WE SAW A CLEAR PATTERN OF A FAULT.
EVERY MONUMENT THAT LIES BETWEEN MY HOUSE AND THIS BIG CRACK ACROSS THE WOODLANDS HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT, DROPPED ON THE WEST SIDE AND DID NOT DROP AT ALL ON THE EAST SIDE. INTERESTING, BECAUSE THAT FAULT PENTIUM RANCH FAULT IS THE ONLY FAULT IN THE WOODLANDS DOWN THRONE, IT DROPS ON THE WESTERN SIDE. SO PRECLEAR WE HAVE AN ACTIVE FAULT ALTHOUGH THE MOVEMENT WAS VERY SMALL. YOU MAY REMEMBER DR. SCHNEIDER THAT WE HAVE MARKED SMITH , GENERAL MANAGER OF THE GRP COME IN AND TRY TO PERSUADE US FIVE MEASURES IN, TO AND HALF YEARS OUT OF FIVE ORIGINAL FIVE YEARS, THAT WE DID NOT NEED TO GO WITH TWO MEASURES A YEAR , BECAUSE HE MOVEMENT WAS
[00:20:06]
SO SMALL THAT WE SAW PATTERN OF FAULTING, BUT SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT. I THINK GERMAN BUNCH , LET ME READ EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID HERE, CHAIRMAN BUNCH, HIS COMMENTS TO MARK SMITH WHERE, I LIVE ON THE BIG BARN FAULT. I DO MY OWN MONITORING EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR THE 10 YEAR SO I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY DR. NORMAN -- THIS IS THE GEOLOGIST FOR EXTENSION AUTHORITY -- SUGGESTED THAT I MEASURE MY FAULT SIX MONTHS, EVERY FIVE YEARS , FIVE YEARS. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT GEOLOGY, FIVE YEARS IS A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. SO IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS, WHEN WE STARTED LOOKING AT THE FAULT ACTIVITY, THEY FOUND -- THEY FOUND THAT IT ONLY DROPPED BY 0.05 INCHES PER YEAR . THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING PHENOMENON, BECAUSE THE GROUP , THE COMPANY THAT WAS ASKED TO EVALUATE WHETHER THE PANTHER BRANDT FAULT REPRESENTED A SAFETY RISK TO THE PIPELINE -- THERE IS A 42 INCH, UNPROTECTED PIPE THAT CROSSES THE PANTHER RANCH FAULT UNDER THE ENTRANCE TO THE HIGH SCHOOL . WE TOLD THEM ABOUT THAT, BEFORE THEY EVEN PUT IT IN THE GROUND, BUT GEOLOGIST DID NOT SEE THE CRACK IN THE PARKHILL OR SOMETHING SO THEY USE THE PROTECTED PIPE IN ELEVATION MONITORS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RESEARCH FOR US, THEIR CATS CRADLE SO WE COULD SEE IF THERE WAS A DIFFERENTIAL CHANGE. THEY FOUND THE CHANGE, BUT THEY WOULD JUST NOT HAPPY FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS. IT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH, BUT WHAT THEY MANAGE WITH MIKE TERKEL, GENERAL MANAGER ELEVATION MONITOR HERE IN THE LARGE FACILITY AT BARE BRANCH.HE HAD BEEN MONITORING THIS SO SINCE 2000 WHEN I STARTED RECORDING ELEVATIONS IN THIS AREA, HE SAW A DROP OF A HALF INCH A YEAR AND I SAW THE SAME THING AT MY HOUSE, AND A HOUSE I BOUGHT IN 1992 ON THE PANTHER BRANCH FAULT ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF MY HOUSE DROP HALF INCH A YEAR UNTIL THEY OPENED UP THE SERVICE WATER PIPELINE , PIPELINE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
>> OKAY. >> THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS LAST SIX MONTHS, WE SAW -- BETWEEN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER, SEPTEMBER DATE WAS NOT EVEN IN , BUT WAS EYEDROPPER THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH . ON THE SECOND PAGE STATIC ] ALLOWABLE MOVEMENT ON THE PROTECTED BIG BARN FAULT IS A QUARTER OF AND INCH. THAT IS WE SAW A DROP TWICE.
>> AND IT HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO BE ON A FUTURE AGENDA .
DATE I WOULD BE HAPPY TO. >> THANK YOU, MARK.
>> AS ALWAYS WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE. WE -- BRINGS US TO
CHRISTINE ROBERTS. >> NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE .
>> THANK YOU . >> YOU ARE WELCOME .
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE . MY NAME IS CHRISTINA DENNIS ROBERT, I LIVE IN THE VILLAGE OF INDIAN SPRINGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE WOODLANDS DESERVE RESERVE. I'M HERE TO AS THE BOARD TO CONSIDER ADDING TWO PATHWAYS AND ONE CROSS WROUGHT TO CONNECT THE WOODLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE REST OF THE INDIAN SPRING VILLAGE. CURRENTLY THERE IS NOT ANY SAFE PASSAGE BY FOOT OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE OUR CHILDREN CROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC ONTO GOSLIN ROAD TO PLAY AT ONE OF OUR VILLAGE PARKS. SO WE ARE SPECIFICALLY ASKING FOR A PATHWAY CONNECTING THE WOODLANDS RESERVE TO FRONTAGE ROAD AND A SECONDARY PATH TO THE FIRE STATION NUMBER 8 ON GOSLING ROAD SO THAT WE CAN UTILIZE THE EXISTING TRAFFIC IKES TO CROSS THE STREET WITH THE ADDITION OF A CROSSWALK TO DESIGNATE THE PATH OF TRAVEL.
IF YOU COULD KINDLY TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION, WE WOULD
VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT . >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
CHRISTINE. >> IS THAT THE NEW FIRE STATION
SORRY. >> CLARIFICATION, BUT NOT FOR DISCUSSION. THANK YOU, DOCTOR, THANK YOU . THAT BRINGS OR
[ CONSENT AGENDA]
CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT, IT BRINGS US TO ARE TO CONSENT AGENDA . THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ARE NONCONTROVERSIAL, HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS REQUIRED BY LAW AND CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL AS A GROUP WITH ONE MOTION. NO DISCUSSION WILL TAKE PLACE ON[00:25:03]
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. THEIR ARE FOUR ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, IS THERE A MOTION>> SECOND. >> MOVED AND SECONDED, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE ?
[13. Receive, consider, and act upon the consideration of the 2024 Transit Study and fares and ticketing policies for The Woodlands Express;]
>> AYE. >> MOTION PASSES. REGULAR AGENDA, WE APPROVE TO MOVE AGENDA ITEM 13 , PRECEDING AGENDA ITEM 8. YOU CAN REFER IN YOUR BOARD PACKET TO PAGES 166, TO 177, ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE PRESENT. THIS IS THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE 2024 TRANSIT STUDY , REVIEW OF FEES RELATED TO ONE EXPRESS, CONTRACTUAL AMENDMENT WITH
>> I HAVE DONE THAT TWO DIFFERENT WAYS.
>> MESABI, REPRESENTED A FROM WOODLAND CONSULTING IS PRESENT.
THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE PLANT WE ARE PRESENTING TONIGHT IS A COMBINATION OF 18 MONTHS OF THOUGHTFUL EFFORT AND ANALYSIS.
THIS PLAN WAS FULLY FUNDED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE GRANT RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL TRANSMIT ADMINISTRATION. WHEN THE TOWNSHIP WAS PARTNERED WITH OUR TRANSIT CONSULTANT THE GOODMAN CORPORATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PLAN. I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE JONATHAN BROOKS, TRANSIT PRACTICE LEAD FOR GOODMAN AND CARA MCMANUS, GOODMAN COMPLIANCE MANAGER WHO WILL BE WALKING YOU THROUGH THE PLANNING PROCESS AS WELL AS THE SPECIFIC INITIATIVES WE READ REQUESTING THE BOARD TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING,, DIRECTORS. I WILL GET MY VOICE HERE. AS A CHILD I STARTED SO IT TAKES ME A SECOND. TO THE SCOTS, GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO FINISH HER EAGLE. I GOT TO THE LIFESTAGE, DID NOT FINISH THE BENCH, BUT ANOTHER STORY.
JONATHAN BROOKS, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE, INTRODUCTION.
INDISCERNIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] A REAL PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOUR STAFF. DIRECTOR BILLY, SEVERAL OF OUR MEETINGS WAS THEIR AS WELL, WE WILL NOT GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE LOW VOLUME ] A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION AND WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW OPPORTUNITIES . BEFORE I JUMP INTO THE SLIDES I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SIT THE STAGE AND SAY THAT WE FOUND CONSISTENTLY THAT THE TWO CHANTED SERVICES YOU OPERATE, THE WOODLANDS EXPRESS , PARKING RIGHT SERVICE INTO DOWNTOWN, MEDICAL CENTER, THE CORRIDOR AND THE TOWNCENTER TROLLEY ARE BOTH HELD IN VERY HIGH REGARD BOTH BY CURRENT WRITERS, COMMUNITY AND BY VISITORS TO WOODLANDS ESPECIALLY THE TROLLEY. THEIR IS A FEW DETAILS OF THIS IN THE PLAN, BUT THE WOODLANDS EXPRESS IS THE SECOND LARGEST PARKING RIGHT SERVICE IN THE REGION, VOLUME ] PRE-COVID THE SERVICE HAD NATIONAL INDUSTRY-LEADING FAIR RECOVERY RATIO SO THE BEAR PEOPLE PAY COVID INDISCERNIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] COVID DISRUPTED A LOT OF THINGS IN ARE SOCIETY AND TRANSIT IS ONE OF THEM SO WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE, BUT YOU CONTINUE TO BE VERY HIGH PERFORMING IN THE INDUSTRY. WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. THE TROLLEY IS ALSO CHERISHED, TROLLEY IS ALSO PERFORMING VERY WELL COMPARED TO THE COMPETITIVE SERVICES, ACROSS TEXAS AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, BUT WE ARE NOT JUST HERE TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE GOING WELL, BUT THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT SO WE WILL HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THESE LIGHTS HERE. FIRST OFF, THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION ON THE STREET HERE, BUT BASICALLY BETWEEN THE TWO SERVICES, YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THINGS WITH LIMITED COST, THINGS THAT YOU COULD IMPLEMENT, BUT DO HAVE MORE OF A CYNICAL COST. SOME THINGS ARE MORE OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS, DOING BUSINESS BETTER.
THOSE ARE APPLYING TO THE TROLLEY AND THE EXPRESS. PLAN GOES INTO EACH OF THESE. TONIGHT WE WILL HIGHLIGHT JUST A FEW THAT ARE REALLY FUNNY 24 PRIORITIES FOR THE STAFF, FOR YOUR RIDERS . YOU . SO FIRST TOPIC IS ABOUT FARES FOR WOODLAND EXPRESS, BOTH THE AMOUNT OF FARE, COLLECTION , POLICIES, TECHNOLOGY AROUND THOSE. WILL JUMP BACKUP AND TALK ABOUT THE TROLLEY. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, SO FIRST OFF WE LOOKED AT THE FARES
[00:30:01]
ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR COMMUTER BUS SERVICE, THE WOODLANDS EXPRESS . OUR GOAL WAS TO LOOK AT THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY ASSOCIATED WITH BOTH THE FAIRS AND OPERATIONS COST OF MAINTAINING COMPUTER BUS SERVICE. THE INDUSTRY PRACTICE IS TO LOOK AT FAIRS EVERY FIVE YEARS. DEVIOUSLY FARE INCREASES HAVE HAPPENED IN 2013 AND 2016 AND REMAINED STAGNANT SINCE THEN, SINCE THEN $13. CURRENTLY THE TOWNSHIP IS PROJECTED TO PROVIDE ABOUT $526,000 LOCAL FUNDING TO HELP SUPPORT THE PROGRAM . TO MAKE UP THE GAP FROM FARES TO THE LOAD NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS COST. WE LOOKED AT THE SCENARIOS MOVING FORWARD, ONE WAS TO REMAIN STAGNANT IN THAT COST OF $13. ONE WAS TO INCREASE IT BY TWO DOLLARS IN 2024 AND POTENTIALLY INCREASE IT BY ANOTHER DOLLAR 50 IN 2026 , IF THE FAIR RECOVERY WAS NOT MEETING THE NEEDS. WENT WAS TO INCREASE THE FAIRS TO MEET ALL OF THE LOCAL MATCH WHICH WAS INCREASE OF $6.60 IN 2024 AND ANOTHER $2.20 IN 2025. LIKE JONATHAN SAID, PRIOR TO KELLY, THE FAIR RECOVERY WAS ABLE TO SUPPORT ALL OF THE LOCAL MATCH AND THROUGH COVID AND THIS ROUTE PLANNING GRANT WE WERE LOOKING AT THE IMPACT OF COVID AND HOW TO BEST ADDRESS THE FARES. IF YOU LOOK AT THE TABLE BELOW, THIS IS A SCENARIO , SCENARIO TWO, TO DOLLAR INCREASE IN 2024 AND THE DOLLAR 50 INCREASE OF 2026 . YOU CAN SEE THE FAIRS WILL INCREASE TO JUST OVER $2 MILLION IN 2025, THEN OVER 2.4 MILLION IN 2026 WITH THIS PROPOSED, WITH THE SUPPORT OF ABOUT $6.80 AND 594, THOSE SAME TWO YEARS.THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLAN, TO LOOK AT SCENARIO TWO FOR POTENTIAL INCREASE OF FARES . IF THE BOARD WERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT THERE'S A PROCESS FOR FARE
OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS ] >> WHAT ANALYSIS IF ANY HAS BEEN DONE ON RIDERSHIP FOR THAT INCREASE, IN OTHER WORDS EVERYBODY WILL FEEL IMPACT WITH INFLATION RIGHT NOW SO YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS WRITING DOWNTOWN EVERYDAY, THEY GO FIVE DAYS OR WEEK, SOMEBODY MAY SAY I WILL LOOK FOR RIDER SHARE OR DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT . SO YES, YOUR MARGIN MAY INCREASE, BUT YOUR BODY MAY DECREASE, BUT HAVE YOU LOOKED AT WITH THE
IMPACT MEANS? >> TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, SIR, WE DID STUDY FARE ELASTICITY, THE RIDER POTS PS WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE THEY ARE USING. SOME OF IT IS A PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT, RIGHT? YOU CAN MODEL A LOT OF THINGS AND LOOK AT BUT THE WOODLANDS HISTORICALLY HAS NOT -- WHEN MODEST FARE INCREASES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED, CHANGING RIDERSHIP HAS HELD FAIRLY STEADY. THIS WOULD NOT BE THE CASE IF CONGESTION HAD NOT RETURNED 45 CORRIDOR, BUT THAT IS LARGELY AT LEAST ON TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, BACK TO PRE-COVID, KIND OF CONGESTION LEVELS, BECAUSE THE WOODLANDS EXPRESS DEPEND -- THE VALUE OF THE RIDERS THAT JUSTIFIES , BECAUSE THEY PAY OUT OF THEIR POCKET IS BOTH THE TRAVEL TIME BENEFIT AND THE COMFORT AND RELIABILITY OF IT THEN YOU CAN WORK WHILE YOU RIDE. ALSO ONE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS THE STAFF ARE IMPLEMENTED, ON THE AGENDA TODAY, IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WI-FI ON BOARD DOES NOT TIME OUT, WHICH WAS JUST OVERSIGHT IN THE PAST. THAT WILL BE CORRECTED SO THERE ARE SOME OTHER BENEFITS. ALSO THE WOODLANDS HAS EDIT SERVICE BACK AND LOOKING TO ADD FREIGHT
OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS ] >> JUST WANT TO REITERATE THOSE AMENITIES AND SERVICES IS THE GAP THAT HAS BEEN CREATED A RESULT OF THE COVID DROP IN RIDERSHIP, WHILE COST OF PROVIDING SERVICES HAS ALSO
GONE UP ? >> IT IS BOTH OF THOSE FACTORS.
THE FARES HAVE INCREASED SINCE 2016. THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE, THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO THE WOODLANDS, BUT IT NATIONAL PANDEMIC. ISSUE PHENOMENON, 30% HIGHER.
OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS ] >> WE WOULD STILL BE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION, AMOUNTS WOULD BE DIFFERENT.
>> THE LAWS OF FEDERAL FUNDING HAS ALSO AFFECTED THIS .
>> YEAH. >> CORRECT, DURING COVID, THE
[00:35:03]
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDED SOMETHING CALLED GEARS FUNDING TO HELP SUPPORT. YOU COULD USE THAT AT 100% OF OPERATING COSTS AND SUPPORT AT ALL FEDERALLY BASIL THE TOWNSHIP HAS BEEN UTILIZING CARES FUNDING THROUGH 2020 NOW , STILL UTILIZING IT, BUT EXPECTED TO RUN OUT IN 2024. SO THAT LOCAL FUNDING IS THE MATCH TO MEET THE GAP LEFT FROM THE CARES ACT FUNDINGRUNNING OUT . >> SO IF A FAIR CHANGE WERE TO BE ENACTED THERE IS A PUBLIC INPUT AXIS THAT IS PROVIDED FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 SO THROUGH TITLE VI, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF PROPOSING A FAIR INCREASE THEN ADDRESSING THAT WITH A 30 DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PEOPLE TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE FARE CHANGE, AFTER THE 30 DAY PUBLIC COMMENT IT WOULD THEN COME BACK TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL THEN THERE WOULD BE A NOTIFICATION TIME OF ABOUT ONE MONTH TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THESE FARES WOULD BE INCREASING AT THAT TIME FRAME . IF AN ACTION WERE TO TAKE PLACE TONIGHT, IT COULD NOT BE ENACTED UNTIL JUNE , DUE TO THE TIMING OR TIMELINES NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE FARE CHANGE FOR THE
PUBLIC INPUT . >> IF I MAY, I HAD THE VERY SAME CONCERN AS DIRECTOR WATSON MENTIONED WITH THE EFFECT ON RIDERSHIP. SINCE IT DOES NOT GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING, DO YOU DO A SURVEY OR A TEST ? RUTHANN, YOU HAVE DONE THIS FOR A WHILE.
>> YES. >> TO ENSURE THAT THE TWO DOLLAR FARE INCREASE OR WHATEVER THE BOARD DECIDES , THE RIDERSHIP HAS AN APPETITE FOR THAT ?
>> YES, WHAT WE WOULD DO IS WE WOULD REACH OUT TO CURRENT RIDERS, BUT ALSO REACH OUT TO SERVICE AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE TOWNSHIP THAT COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE RIDERSHIP UTILIZING THAT SERVICE TO GET TO JOBS. INFORMED THEM OF THE INCREASE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE RAISIN THAT PRICE. THE RAYS IN
THAT PRICE. >> ONE THING I WANT TO ADD IS WE DO CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR TICKETS WHERE THERE ARE BUSINESSES THAT SUBSIDIZE A LOT OF THEIR EMPLOYEES. THEY HAVE A LOT OF PROGRAMS WITH METRO AND WE HAVE ALSO, KENDRA MORGAN IS ONE OF ARE TO PARTNERS, QUITE A FEW TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER, CHILDREN'S, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM SO WE WOULD ALSO BE REACHING OUT TO THEM TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THAT AS WELL I WOULD SAY ABOUT 35% OF OUR TICKET SALES ARE ACTUALLY TO
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS. >> THANK YOU.
>> YES. PEAK DAYS, TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, ESPECIALLY AS SHIFTED,, BECAUSE EARLIER NOW, 3:30 UNTIL 4:40 , WE HAVE
BUSES COMPLETELY FULL . >> I THINK YOU ADDED ANOTHER BUS FOR DOWNTOWN, JUST RECENTLY, IN THE FALL?
>> SO WE DO OUR BEST TO RIGHT SIZE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE MOVING MAYBE UNDERPERFORMING BUS, MAY BE A LATER BUS THAT I WOULD SAY A LITTLE BIT MORE UNDERPERFORMING COMPARATIVELY AND WE WERE ABLE TO SQUEEZE IT IN., BUT SUSCEPTOR TRAVEL REALLY FOR DISTANT SO WE CANNOT ALWAYS DO THAT, BUT THIS ONE WE WERE ABLE TO CALL IT TURNING, QUICK ENOUGH THAT WE COULD EDIT INTO THE QUICK PEAK TIME PERIOD. WE TRY TO SQUEEZE THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE INTO THE LITTLE HOLES AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
WAS ONE NO MA'AM DOWNTOWN. >> I BELIEVE IT WAS STERLING RIDGE IN THE AFTERNOON THAT WAS ADDED. AS WELL AS WE ARE LOOKING NOW IN THE MORNING, SOME PEAK LOAD 100% PEAK LOADS
IN THE MORNING OUT TOO. >> GERMAN, HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS IF I MAY. THANK YOU . LADIES, DO WE HAVE ANY ACCESS TO FUNDING OR ARE WE GOING TO MAKE APPLICATION TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CLIMATE POLLUTION REDUCTION PLAN ? IS THERE ANY AVENUE FOR US TO HAVE SUPPORT FROM THAT PRETTY LARGE
FUNDING SOURCE? >> THAT IS ONE THEN THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS RELATED TO THE IDEA OF HOUSING SOME OF THE BUSES THAT MIGHT END UP HERE LATE AT NIGHT AND RATHER THAN HAVE THEM RETURN BACK TO THE CITY, JUST TO TURN AROUND AND COME BACK, IS A POSSIBLE FOR US TO LOOK AT THAT TOWARD
HOUSING BUSES ? >> YES, THE FIRST QUESTION YOU HAD IS ABOUT THE GRANT FUNDING AVAILABILITY. THAT MONEY IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR OPERATIONS COVERAGE AT THIS TIME THERE ARE SOME INITIATIVES WE WILL BE PRESENTING HERE FOR CREATING MORE EFFICIENT SERVICE OVER ALL LIKE YOU SAID ON THE BUS TURNING , UTILIZING THAT MONEY. WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE
[00:40:02]
HOUSTON GALVESTON COUNCIL WITH ANY AND ALL GRANT FUNDING ABILITY, WHERE WE ARE ACTUALLY ELIGIBLE FOR, RIGHT? OUR PROGRAMS ARE . AS YOU MENTIONED, OUR BUSES TO RETURN TO FIRST CLASS PRESENTATION, CONTRACT OPERATING. BUS YARD WHICH IS LOCATED OFF WHY EIGHT AND 59. IT IS A DISTANCE . PART UP OUR PLANT WAS LOOKING AT THE INEFFICIENCY OF WHAT WILL WE NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO BE KEEPING THE BUSES HERE, CALL INDISCERNIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] NO PASSENGERS ON BOARD GOING BACK AND FORTH AND JONATHAN WILL SPEAK MORE TO THAT COMING UP.>> THANK YOU. >> ALSO WITH THE FARE POLICY CHANGE , WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT FARE MEDIA POLICY. CURRENTLY HAVE THE MOBILE TO CLEAN UP MUST SABE, HAVING THOSE PAPERLESS TICKETS THAT HAVE A SIX MONTH OPERATION DATE AS WELL AS PAPER TICKETS THAT ARE UTILIZED BY THE TOWNSHIP THAT DO NOT EXPIRE . THESE CAN BE PURCHASED FROM GUARDS, ALSO PURCHASED IN BULK FROM COMPANIES AND SO WE WANT TO LOOK AT REDUCING THE RELIANCE ON THOSE PAPER TICKETS. SABE OFFERS THE APP , BUT THERE ARE ALSO FARE CARDS THAT CAN BE UTILIZED AS WELL AS USING THE RFID , RADIOFREQUENCY IDS USING CREDIT CARDS THROUGH THEIR HARDWARE SYSTEMS ALREADY ON THE EXPRESS BUSES. THIS WOULD ELIMINATE THE USE OF THOSE PAPER TICKETS AND HAVE THE USE OF RELOADABLE CONTACTLESS FARE FARE CARDS THAT CAN BE USED AT THE PARK-AND-RIDE. REDUCING THE FRAUD, COMPLAINTS WERE LOST TICKETS AND LOST PAPER TICKETS.
>> RETURN TRIP. IS THE MAJORITY OF USERS GOING MOBILE OR
TICKETLESS? >> YES, I BELIEVE IT IS 83%.
>> CURRENTLY FOR THE MOBILE TICKETING THERE IS AND A HALF TRANSECT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THEM HANDLING THE BACKEND OF MAKING SURE THE TICKETS AND TICKET WALLETS AND STORED VALUE
ACCOUNTS ARE ALL MANAGED. >> WITH THIS POLICY IT WOULD BE THAT THE PAPER TICKETS WITH NOT BE SOLD AFTER JULY IN 2025.
ALL PAPER TICKETS WOULD EXPIRE BET THE OR BY THE END OF 2026.
YOU CAN THEN TURN THESE PAPER TICKETS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN USED BY THAT I DO DATE IN 2026 INTO THOSE SINGLE USED FAIR CARDS. AFTER 2026, ONLY THE MOBILE TICKETS , RFID CARDS, SINGLE USE CARDS WOULD BE USED OR WOULD BE COMPATIBLE FOR THE EXPRESS BUSES. ANY REMAINING PAPER TICKETS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE END OF 2027 WITH THEN EXPIRED FOR THE
CONVERSION. >> THAT IS THE FARE POLICY .
>> THANK YOU, CARA . THE WOODLANDS, FOR YOUR QUESTION, I WILL TALK ABOUT THAT BRIEFLY BEFORE WE GO TO THE TROLLEY CONVERSATION. THE QUESTION RAISED WAS ONE OF THE WAYS THE WOODLANDS EXPRESS MOST CLEARLY COULD MANAGE COSTS IS THE DID HAD MILES THAT WE MENTIONED. THE SERVICES WHETHER REVENUE SERVICE AND PEOPLE GETTING ON AND OFF, VERY EFFICIENT . YOU HAVE A GREAT PARTNER FIRST CLASS TRANSPORTATION, PERFORMING VERY WELL, GOOD SAFETY RECORD, BUT THEIR FACILITY IS WHERE THE BUSES ARE MAINTAINED, WHERE THEY ARE STORED. IT CREATES A LOT OF DEADHEAD MILEAGE. INFECT MY COLLEAGUE ROBERT WHO WOULD LOVE TO BE HERE, BECAUSE HE LED THIS PROJECT, BUT CANNOT TRAVEL AT THE MOMENT, DOUBLE CHECK THE NUMBER. HE SAYS IT CANNOT BE TRUE, JONATHAN, VISIT THEIR DAD HAD KNOWLEDGE, BUT THAT IS ONE WEAKNESS OF THE SERVICE. THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIND PROPERTY, CREATING A FACILITY, WOULD NOT HAVE TO DO ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS. YOU COULD CREATE A BUS WASH, THE VEHICLES CLEAN, DO BASIC MAINTENANCE. AT THE LIGHT GOES OUT, TAIL LIKE , YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE BULL BEFORE YOU PUT IT OUT FOR THE DAY. YOU HAVE A BUS WASH, ASIC MAINTENANCE OFFICE, BREAKROOM , THE TOWNSHIP COULD CREATE THAT FACILITY , PERHAPS USING EXISTING PROPERTY OR ADDING AN A PROPERTY. THEN YOU COULD ALSO COPE REPRESENT. WITH THE FIRE
[00:45:01]
DEPARTMENT HERE EARLIER AND THEY COULD ALSO USE THE SAME, IS A HAS LIGHT-DUTY MAINTENANCE FUNCTIONS, BUT YOU COULD STORE THE VEHICLES HERE. IT WOULD ONLY SEND THEM TO YOUR CONTRACTOR FOR THE HEAVIER MAINTENANCE , PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, OIL CHANGES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. THAT CERTAINLY IS FEASIBLE AND REDUCING YOUR DEADHEAD SUBSTANTIALLY. THAT IS DISCUSSED IN THE PLAN , PARTIALLY. AN OPPORTUNITY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED WE COULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE ON THAT .>> HOW MANY BARKS WOULD BE PARKED AT THE TIME OR HOW MUCH PROPERTY DO WE NEED , 20 BUSES OR FIVE ?
>> YOU HAVE 20 VEHICLE FOR 25 VEHICLE FLEET, MOST ARE USED EACH DAY. THERE IS A PART RESERVED FOR SPARE, A FEW VEHICLES THAT ARE MOVED. YOU JUST DID RECEIVE REGIONAL FUNDS THROUGH HD AC, THROUGH A FEDERAL PROGRAM AND WITH REGIONAL FUNDING SO THERE WILL BE NO LOCAL TOWNSHIP FUNDS PUT INTO THE NEW VEHICLES, BUT YOU ARE GOING TO PROCURE A NEW SET OF COACHES. AT LEAST 25 . YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SQUEEZE OUT A FEW MORE, EVEN 30 COACHES. TO SUSTAIN THE SERVICE. THAT WOULD REQUIRE AT LEAST AN ACRE OF LAND. EXACTLY HOW MUCH WOULD DEPEND ON ITS ARRANGEMENT, ACCESS TO THE SITE, VEHICLES, THESE COACHES HAVE CERTAIN TURN RADIUS IS THAT YOU HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR. THERE ARE BETTER AND MORE EFFICIENT WAYS TO STORE THEM SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MOVE THEM JUST TO GET ONE
OUT. >> IF YOU DID THAT, THE DRIVERS WOULD THEN COME TO THE STORAGE FACILITY IN THEIR OWN VEHICLES, TAKE THE BUSES AND LEAVE THEIR VEHICLE AT THE STORAGE FACILITY
>> YES. RIGHT NOW THEY GO TO THE FIRST CLASS EMPLOYEE, THAT CONTRACTOR, PROBABLY A MIX OF VEHICLES. SOME COACHES STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACTOR' FACILITY, BECAUSE THEY ARE MAINTAINED OVER THAT AND OTHERS WOULD BE HERE. THIS IS A LONGER-TERM INITIATIVE DEVELOPED AT THE FACILITY, IT DOES TAKE A FEW YEARS. THERE ARE ADVANCE PLANNING THAT IS TO BE DONE TO GET WHAT YOU NEED IN TERMS OF THE PROPERTY, THE BUILDING PROGRAM, DEPARTMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS. THEN YOU HAVE TO DO PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING. THAT WHOLE PROCESS CAN TAKE 18, 24 MONTHS. IF YOU HAVE THE PROPERTY, IT IS A LOT SIMPLER.
IF THERE IS ACQUISITION OF ALL, LET TO CONSIDER WITH THAT, OBVIOUSLY. THE ADVANCE PLAN, IN GENERAL, IT IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU COMPETITIVE FOR THE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES. ABSENT OF A PRELIMINARY GENERAL REPORT, IT REALLY DETAILS FEASIBILITY OF THE NEED AND ENGINEERING. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO GO GET FEDERAL FUNDING. THERE ARE FUNDS AVAILABLE THROUGH 5339 PROGRAM FROM THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, BOTH THROUGH THE FORMULA SAID, 5330 9A OR B WHICH IS COMPETITIVE. YOU CAN DO THAT FOR THE FACILITIES OR VEHICLES. THERE IS ALSO THE U.S. CONGRESS IS ACTIVELY USING COMMUNITY FUNDING PROJECTS AGAIN, EARMARKS, AS THEY WERE KNOWN IN THE PAST. COULD BE A PROJECT THAT COULD BE PUT IN FOR THAT KIND OF FUNDING.
CONGERS LIKES TO SEE PUT IN THE LAST DOLLAR TO SEE THE
PROJECT GETTING BUILT. >> ALSO WENT TO STATE THAT THE REDUCTION OF DEADHEAD IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE IT KEEPS A LIFE OF THE VEHICLES LONGER, BECAUSE THERE IS LESS WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE FROM THE POINT OF ORIGIN TO THE START OF YOUR ROUTE BY KEEPING THOSE THAT HAD MILES LOWER, IT THEN PROVIDES YOU USE OF THE VEHICLE FOR MUCH LONGER PEERS OF TIME.
>> WHAT IS THE IDEAL DISTANCE FOR THE DID HAD NOT TO BE
>> GOOD QUESTION . EVERY TRANSIT SERVICE HAS DEADHEAD.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE OR MAYBE THEIR IS SOMEONE WHO IS FOLLOWING TO DO THIS, EVEN A BUS GOING OUT TO START A ROUTE THAT IS ONE MILE AWAY, THE DOOR WILL NOT BE OPENING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO COME THAT IS REVENUE SERVICE. YOU WANT TO REPORT SOME DEADHEAD OTHERWISE ALL OF YOUR OTHER PERFORMANCE METRICS WHICH SHOW YOU ARE NOT AS EFFICIENT PER MILE IN TERMS OF COST AND RIDERSHIP. THE DEADHEAD IS MONITORED, BUT NOT NEARLY AS IMPORTANT TO THE FUNDING ENTITIES LIKE THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS YOUR REVENUE SERVICE IS.
LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE PASSENGERS. DEADHEAD, I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS IDEAL RATIO , AS LITTLE AS FEASIBLE.
>> LIKE IF YOU COULD FIND A SPOT, MAYBE YOU MIGHT HAVE ONE
. >> THE WOODLANDS HAS SEVERAL PARKING RIGHTS, PERHAPS SEVERAL PROPERTIES THAT ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED. THE VEHICLES ARE ALREADY IN PROXIMITY . LOCATING OR ADJACENTLY LOCATING THIS KIND OF FACILITY WOULD BE JUST LIKE THE TROLLEY, NOT BY THE TOWN
[00:50:02]
CENTER, BUT FAIRLY CLOSE SO THE TROLLEY HAS A LOWER AMOUNT OFDEADHEAD. >> A QUESTION ABOUT SECURITY.
SAY WE DO BRING 25 , 30 BUSES INTO THE WOODLANDS FOR OVERNIGHT STORAGE HOUSING , WHAT RESPONSIBILITY COMES TO US IN TERMS OF SECURITY FOR THOSE BUSES?
>> THE WOODLANDS HAS A READY HAD A PROTOCOL FOR MAINTAINING THE SECURITY OF THE PARK AND RIDE FACILITIES. SIMILAR SORT OF VERTICAL WOULD JUST BE IN PLACE. THEY HAVE FENCING, THEY HAVE LIGHTING, THERE ARE -- WHEN THE GATES ARE OPEN, SECURITY PERSONNEL PRESENT. IT WOULD BE A SIMILAR PROTOCOL.
WHEN YOU HAVE DRIVERS SHOWING UP EARLY, IT WOULD BE DARK.
MOST ARE RIDING TO START THE EARLY MORNING PEAK SERVICE, MAY BE DARK EVEN WHEN THEY ARE LEAVING, BUT IT WOULD MOST LIKELY BE IN PROXIMITY TO THE FACILITY THE WOODLANDS IS ALREADY RETAINING SECURITY FOR .
>> YOU DO NOT ANTICIPATE A BIG BUDGETARY INCREASE WITH THAT?
>> IT WOULD BE INCREMENTAL . >> IT WOULD BE BUILT IN.
>> THANK YOU . >> THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX. I SPENT A LOT OF TIMES ON THE FREEWAYS, AROUND A LOT OF METROS. ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO USE A PORTION OF OUR BUSES FOR ADVERTISING DOLLARS THAT WE COULD OFFSET THE PRICE OF THINGS FOR LIKE VISIT THE WOODLANDS, ADVERTISE IN THE BACK OF THE BUS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME TO THE WOODLANDS IN TOURISM , BUT ALSO OFFSET SOME OF THOSE COST FOR ADVERTISING?
>> KAREN IS THE COMPLIANCE PERSON. I WOULD SAY YOU WITH ASK THAT, DR. BILLY, NOT UNCOMMON IN PARTS OF THE WORLD SEE TRANSIT VEHICLES, AND THE U.S.
VOLUME ] >> YOU CAN SET UP A PROCUREMENT TO SOLICIT ADVERTISES TO BE PLACED ON BUSES , BOTH INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY, BUT YOU JUST NEED TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS SET FORTH BY THE PROCUREMENT STANDARDS .
COULD DO THAT TOO. >> YES, YOU COULD GET STUCK BEHIND A BUS WITH BRAD 'S HEAD ON IT.
>> YOUR QUESTION SUFFICIENTLY AT THIS TIME ?
>> YES, YOU SAIDIT WAS PART OF THE ENGINEERING STRATEGY, I
WOULD GO WITH THAT. >> YOU WOULD KNOW IN ADVANCE OF MAY FUTURE LOOKS LIKE FOR THE FACILITY AND ONGOING OPERATIONS I THINK YOU WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE COST OF SUCH A FACILITY BUILD OUT, MAINTENANCE, UPKEEP, WEIGH THAT AGAINST WHAT THIS DEADHEAD AMOUNT IS THAT IS IN EXCESS OF WHAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE IN TERMS OF HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO RECAPTURE, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT TO MAKE IT WORTHWHILE ?
>> I WANT TO MENTION WE HAVE THE TROLLEY OPERATIONS FACILITY CURRENTLY WHICH IS A MAINTENANCE FACILITY SO SOME SYNERGY THAT COULD EXIST THERE, CONSOLIDATING THE BUSES WITH THAT FACILITY THAT WE ALREADY OWNED, WHETHER WE WANT TO KEEP THAT ONE, SO THAT PROPERTY OR WHATEVER, IT IS LOCATED WITHIN A FLOODPLAIN TO LET YOU KNOW. IT DID FLOOD DURING HARVEY, AND HAVE FEET OF IT , WATER, SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND AS WELL. PERHAPS THERE ARE SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE TROLLEY OPERATIONS FACILITY AND THIS FACILITY TOO.
OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS ] >> YOU MENTIONED THAT IT COULD BE HAVING A CO-USE, LIKE WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT. IS THAT WHAT
YOU WERE SAYING? >> ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE ACTUAL MAINTENANCE FUNCTIONS. AT ONE POINT WE HAD ALL THESE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS THAT WE DISCUSSED, ONE OF THEM IS YOU COULD BUILD A FULL FUNCTIONING MAINTENANCE FACILITY WHICH WOULD BE A LITTLE MORE PROPERTY, LITTLE MORE TO CONSIDER. THAT WOULD REALLY MAKE THE MOST SENSE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHILE YOU'RE ALSO THINKING ABOUT LONG-TERM ABOUT YOUR CONTRACT AND OPERATOR IN THIS SITUATION THERE , BUT IN THAT SITUATION YOU COULD MAINTAIN ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE , FIRE TRUCK GOING UP ON A BUS LIFT, IF YOU WILL.
>> THERE COULD BE EFFICIENCIES THERE . SOME NUANCES THERE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WORKS BENEFICIALLY, WHAT IS THE
BENEFIT FOR BOTH ENTITIES? >> RIGHT.
>> THESE ARE EXCELLENT QUESTIONS.
>> IF THERE ARE MORE -- LET ME GIVE EVERYONE FOOD FOR THOUGHT ABOUT THE TROLLEY. THE TOWN CENTER TROLLEY LOVED BY RESIDENTS AND VISITORS, I WROTE MYSELF, DID A BUNCH OF INTERVIEWS TO CONFIRMTHAT PEOPLE DO ENJOY IT, BUT THERE
[00:55:02]
ARE A FEW THINGS THAT COULD BE BETTER . ONE OF THEM IS THAT THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO MATCH THE AMOUNT OF TROLLEY SERVICE YOU ARE FIELDING, ESPECIALLY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, WEEKDAYS, NOT BY HOLIDAYS. WE SEE A LITTLE BIT THERE, BUT THEN ADDING EXTRA CAPACITY DOING SPRING BREAK, LONG WEEKENDS, SPECIAL EVENTS, DURING THE SUMMER. DOING THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY, YOU ARE REMOVING OR FOR EVERYONE USE THE TROLLEY MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, NOTICE BETWEEN 3:30 AND 4:00, BREAK IN SERVICE WITH THE TROLLEY DRIVERS CHANGE OUT. WE COULD ELIMINATE THAT IN THE SCHEDULE THEN MAKE IT SEAMLESS FOR RIDERS SO THEIR IS NO BREAK IN SERVICE, DRIVERS DO NOT HAVE TO TELL RIDERS HE HAD TO GET OFF FOR HALF HOUR, WE WILL BE BACK, DO NOT WORRY. WE COULD ELIMINATE THAT. RIGHT SIZE THE AMOUNT OF SERVICE , SIMULTANEOUSLY ALSO CREATING OPPORTUNITY WHERE IF YOUR DRIVER OF A TROLLEY RING OUT, FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THE 40 HOURS, IN ANY COMBINATION OF FIVE DAYS. YOU HAVE TO WORK 5+ DAYS TO GET YOUR 40 HOURS, BUT WITH THE SCHEDULES, WE WILL PRESENT THAT ARE IN THE PLAN, DEVELOPING BOASTFULLY AND IMPLEMENTING THOSE WILL CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DRIVING SAFT TO ACTUALLY WORK FULL-TIME , BOTH IN AM OR PM . ELIMINATE THE SERVICE BRAKE AND CREATE FORMAL OUTBREAKS ALSO IF YOU ARE DRIVER RAN OUT, IT IS ILL-DEFINED WHEN -- WITH COLOR LUNCH, BUT IT MAY NOT BE LUNCH, BUT A MEAL, BUT WE COULD FORMALIZE ALL OF THAT. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MEMORIZE ON THE STREET WITH THE SCHEDULE LOOKS LIKE, BUT THE TOP IS EXISTING. WE LOOKED AT THIS, THE EFFECT ON RIDERSHIP, JUSTIFICATION FOR MODIFYING THE SCHEDULES TO BALANCE IT, FOUR THALES IN SERVICE, TRENCH WITH A MINIMUM? DURING MEAL BREAKS? WE RECOMMEND YOU IMPLEMENT THIS AS SOON AS FEASIBLE . THIS IS A COST NEUTRAL CHANGE. YOU REDUCE TROLLEY SERVICE FREQUENTLY MILDLY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, BUT YOU INCREASE IT OTHER TIMES. YOU ALSO ARE USING SOME OF THAT EFFICIENCY TO ELIMINATE THE 30 MINUTE BREAK. PROVIDING MEAL BREAKS.THERE IS A CAPITAL COST . RIGHT NOW THE 30 MINUTE BREAK HAPPENS, BECAUSE A TROLLEY LEAVES, THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY, TAKES NEW DRIVES UP AND SWITCH OUT SO YOU ARE PUTTING DEADHEAD, SPEAKING OF DEADHEAD, HAVING THAT TERM NOW, AND THE TROLLEY, TROLLEY IS IDLING TO COOL DOWN, GETTING READY FOR IN SERVICE BUT YOU CAN LEAVE THE FOUR TROLLEYS ARE THREE TROLLEYS IN THE FIELD, USE A BAN TO DUTY DRIVER
CHANGE. >> ISN'T THE TROLLEY ALWAYS DEADHEAD? THERE WERE NO FARES, RIGHT?
>> IS STILL FAIR SERVICE, BUT YOU'RE STILL --
>> RIGHT. >> THERE IS A PORTION WHEN THE TROLLEY IS MOVING WHEN NOT TECHNICALLY OPEN FOR ANYONE.
>> CORRECT . >> THIS WOULD IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE FOR THE STAFF, FOR THE RIDERS AND THE CAPITAL COST OF THAT BAND WHICH COULD ALSO BE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES IS OFFSET BY THE EFFICIENCY. YOU WOULD SAVE ABOUT $90,000 A YEAR POTENTIALLY EACH YEAR WHILE DOING THE SERVICE CHANGE. THE FIRST YEAR SAVINGS AND OPERATIONS MAKES UP FOR THE CAPITAL COST FOR THE VAN . THE COST FOR THE CAPITAL COST FOR THE VAN CAN LARGELY BE PAID WITH FEDERAL FUNDS AND EVEN THE LOCAL MATCH SHOULD BE PAID, COULD, SHOULD, TRADITIONALLY WOULD BE PAID BY THE REGAL GOVERNMENT HDC THROUGH DEVELOPMENT CREDITS . THE CAPITAL COST IS FEDERAL AND REGIONAL, THAT TOWNSHIP LOCAL .
>> DO YOU FIGURES ABOUT RIDERSHIP AT ALL? I THINK YOU SAID WE HAD ABOUT FIVE TROLLEYS?
>> RIGHT NOW THE SCHEDULE IS FOUR TROLLEYS IN SERVICE AND THAT MEANS THAT A TROLLEY PASSES A STOP EVERY 15, 20 MINUTES. ON A WEEKDAY, LITTLE MORE FREQUENT, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE TO STOP AS MUCH, LESS CONGESTION ON THE WATERWAY.
DURING LONG WEEKENDS, SPRING BREAK, WHEN ESPECIALLY BUSY, A LITTLE SLOWER SO YOU NEED THE FOUR TROLLEYS. DURING SCHOOL YEAR DAYS, NOT BY HOLIDAYS, YOU COULD FIELD THREE TROLLEYS, UNLESS YOU HAVE ALMOST THE SAME RIDER EXPERIENCE. DURING MEAL BREAKS, TEMPORARILY DROPPED TO THE TWO TROLLEYS MOVING, BUT NO RIDER WITH JUST HAVE A BREAK IN THE SERVICE.
THAT IS KIND OF THE MAIN BENEFIT.
>> OKAY . >> DID THAT ANSWER YOUR
QUESTION SUFFICIENTLY ? >> I AM JUST WONDERING ABOUT NUMBERS. IN A DATE'S TIME, HOW MANY PEOPLE RIDE TROLLEY SLOT A LOT OF INFORMATION IS IN THE REPORT. PUT THIS TOGETHER .
>> BALLPARK. >> ROUGH ESTIMATES .
>> MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, IT IS LOWER. SAY ABOUT -- THEN ON
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A FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, HIGHEST RIDERSHIP DAYS, IT COULD BE THREE, FOUR FULL RIDERS ON THOSE DAYS, I HEAR FROM THE RIDERS, YOU WILL HEAR AMOUNT ON A FRIDAY, 2:00 P.M., INDISCERNIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] ON SATURDAYS THEY ARE FULL OF THE TIME SO THAT IS WHEN PEOPLE ARE OUT, WANTING TO WRITE. YOU GET THE KIDS WITH THE MOM, YOUNG CHILDREN RIDING ON MONDAY, WAS PEOPLE AT WORK OR SCHOOL SO THREE, FOUR FOLD DIFFERENCE. YOU GET THE HOLIDAY WEEKS, SPRING BREAK, HUGE BIG THREAT THE HOLY, CONCERT NIGHT ARE BIG ONE FOR US AS WELL, FOURTH OF JULY, WATERWAY KNIGHTS VISIBLE, THOSE KIND OF THINGS, YOU SEE PEAKS ON THOSE DAYS AS WELL.>> WHAT ARE NUMBERS? AVERAGE NUMBER ON A REGULAR DAY AND A
BUSY DAY? >> OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD , BALLPARK, I SAY 300 ON A NORMAL DAY TO MAYBE ABOUT 900
>> HAVE A QUESTION , WITHIN, IF YOU COULD ANSWER THIS ONE TOO, I KNOW WE LOOKED AT THE COST OF PUTTING IN ANOTHER TROLLEY STOP, AT GROSSMAN'S BILL, I DO NOT REMEMBER THE NUMBER, BUT IT WAS REALLY LARGE. WHY JUST TO GO A LITTLE BIT LONGER IS
IT SUCH A HUGE EMBARRASSMENT? >> VOLUME ] HAPPY TO ADDRESS THAT, DIRECTOR BAILEY. WE LOOKED AT MANY DIFFERENT POSSIBLE TROLLEY ROUTES . FIRST AND FOREMOST WAS A CONNECTION TO GROSSMAN'S BILL . YOU COULD DO WITH THE EXISTING TROLLEY, THIRD PRONG, IF YOU WILL, BUT REGARDLESS THE ADDITIONAL MILEAGE, REQUIRES A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. SO TO DO A COMPARABLE SERVICE TO WHAT THE TROLLEY DOES NOW IN THE TOWN CENTER, BUT TO THAT AREA ALSO, ESSENTIALLY DOUBLES THE TROLLEY PROGRAM, BECAUSE OF THE TIME INVOLVED , IT WOULD NEED ABOUT FOUR VEHICLES TO PROVIDE THE SAME FREQUENCY OF SERVICE. THERE COULD BE DECISIONS THAT CUT THE FREQUENCY AND HAVE, USE PERHAPS TWO VEHICLES . YOU WOULD NEED MORE EMPLOYEES. PARDON ME. ESSENTIALLY IT IS VERY COMPARABLE TO THE DISTANCE OF THE EXISTING TROLLEY ROUTE JUST OVER SIX MILES ROUND-TRIP. IT IS REALLY A LOGISTICAL REALITY UNFORTUNATELY THAT THE AMOUNT OF MILES REQUIRED , BUT THIS IS QUANTIFIED IN DETAIL IN THE REPORT AS WELL AS OTHER ALTERNATIVES. HAPPY TO DISCUSS THOSE IN MORE DETAIL. DO YOU
HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION? >> NO .
>> I DO IF I MAY. >> THE MAP WITH THE PURPLE LINES, THAT YOU SHOW HERE , IS AT ALSO VISITING THE RESORT
AND CONFERENCE CENTER ? >> YES, WE PRESUME OR THIS PRESUMES SIMILAR FREQUENCY OF STOPS. THAT WOULD BE SEVERAL OTHER STOPS ALONG THE ROUTE ESPECIALLY TO JUSTIFY THE SERVICE. MAKE IT HAVE A FULL UTILITY. AND THIS WOULD CONNECT TO A FEW DIFFERENT AREAS BOTH PARKING AND DESTINATIONS IN THE TOWN CENTER TO INTERFACE WITH THE EXISTING
TROLLEY ROUTE. >> THAT CHANGES THINGS, ONE OF OUR TOP TWO HOTELS IN THE ENTIRE TOWNSHIP. BEING ABLE TO HIT A STOP AT THE RESORT TO TAKE PEOPLE INTO THE TOWN CENTER, GO TO CONCERTS, THINGS LIKE THAT, I THINK WOULD BEAR
FRUIT. >> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN IT ON THE MAP . IT IS BRILLIANT, ACTUALLY. NOT SURE IF THAT ADDS MUCH COST OR NOT, BUT I THINK IT IS BRILLIANT.
>> IF I MAY, I WILL REFER TO MS. DEMPSEY , RJ AGENDA -- OUR AGENDA ITEM WAS REALLY ON THE 2024 TRANSIT STUDY AND FARES TO GETTING POLICIES NOT BE TROLLEY OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND AND/OR ADD ADDITIONAL ROUTES. JUST KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST ON THE BOARD WITH REGARD TO GROSSMAN'S FEEL AND ALSO THE POSSIBILITY AND POTENTIAL OF ADDITIONAL TROLLEY SERVICES, BUT WE ARE HERE THIS EVENING TO CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE 2024 TRANSIT STUDY AND FARES THE
TOUGH FOR THE STUDY. >> IT HAD A SLIGHT, BUT IS IN
THAT PART OF THE STUDY? >> IS IN THE PLAN.
>> AS ARE OTHER ALTERNATIVES. >> HOW DO WE STRATEGIZE BRING THIS PLAN FORWARD, OVERVIEW OF THE WHOLE PLAN TONIGHT, BUT WE HAVE SPECIFIC ACTION ITEMS RELATED TO A FEW OF THE WHAT WE SEE AS THE MEDIA PRIORITIES RIGHT NOW THAT WE WOULD
[01:05:01]
RECOMMEND THEN WE WILL TALK ABOUT IN A LITTLE BIT, WE WOULD BRING OTHER OF THESE INITIATIVES TO YOU DURING THE BUDGET CYCLE FOR THE FUNNY, BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE HAVE A DOLLAR VALUE ATTACHED TO THEM, PRICE TAG.>> WHILE YOU THINK OF ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, LET ME HIGHLIGHT AS A WRAP UP THEN HAPPY TO HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, DURING THE -- ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO AVOID, COMMON CRITICISM OF PLANNERS AND PLANS IS THE BEST PLAN, SITS UPON A SHELF . WHAT HAPPENS? THROUGH THE PLANNING PROCESS, LAST 18 MONTHS, SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES AT BOTH -- THE PLANNING PROCESS AND ALSO THE REALITY OF WHAT STAFF SAYS, THINGS THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED AND PROCESSED. WE ALSO WERE ABLE OR THE WOODLANDS WAS ABLE TO SECURE THE $25 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR NEW COACHES FOR THE WOODLANDS EXPRESS.
RE-ADDING THE MIDDAY SERVICE, THOSE COVID LAST YEAR. WE MENTIONED THE WI-FI WHICH I MENTIONED TONIGHT TO MAKE SURE WI-FI DOES NOT CUT SOMEONE OFF WHILE THEY ARE DOING THEIR COMMITTEE. THE TROLLEY SERVICE, ALSO SIX NEW TROLLEYS BEING PROCURED AT THIS MOMENT. CARROTS HELP YOU WITH THAT. THEY WILL BE DELIVERED IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS. TOWNSHIP COMPLETED A COMPENSATION STUDY, VERY IMPORTANT, ALSO FOR YOUR TROLLEY DRIVERS. AND TROLLEY WAGES, DRIVER WAGES WHICH IS A, HELPING WITH ATTENTION AND RETENTION AND STAFF. ANNUNCIATOR IS A ODD TERM, NEVER LIKED IT, BUT THE FOLKS THAT CREATE THESE THINGS LIKE HIS LOVE IT. TROLLEY ANNUNCIATOR IS AN ANNOUNCER TECHNOLOGY. THERE ARE THE TROLLEYS THAT HAVE DIGITAL SCREEN THAT CAN DISPLAY INFORMATION, ALSO MAKE AUDIBLE ANNOUNCEMENTS. THOSE HAVE NOT BEEN IN USE RECENTLY FOR TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES, BUT THAT WILL BE SORTED OUT. ANOTHER THINK THAT WILL IMPROVE THE SERVICE. ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS WE HEARD IS WE DO NOT LIKE THE SERVICE BREAK IN THE AFTERNOON, BECAUSE IT IS CONFUSING FOR EVERYONE. HOW DO I KNOW WHERE TO GET OFF THE TROLLEY? IT IS FINE TO GET ON IT THEN VISITORS ESPECIALLY ARE LIGHT IS THIS WHERE GET OFF, BECAUSE IT LOOKS BACK AND IS A SORRY DIRECTION OR IS IS WHERE GET OFF SO WE CAN HELP WITH THAT?
>> WE CAN USE NICK WALDO FOR THE ANNUNCIATOR, PERFECT UP TO
TALK ABSOLUTELY. >> THE DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY PUTTING TO USE THE BOARD PROVIDING MARKETING RESOURCES FOR THE DEPARTMENT . IF YOU SAW THE VALENTINE'S DAY THING LAST WEEK, THAT WAS PRETTY NEAT. IN CONCLUSION, THESE TABLES AGAIN NOT TO BE LEGIBLE ON THE SCREEN, BUT TO ILLUSTRATE THE PLAN. A LOT OF THAT, DIFFERENT IDEAS, I SHOW THAT AT THE VERY START OF THE PRESENTATION, INFORMATION FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE BOTH IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL IMPACT, TOWNSHIP, COST IMPLEMENT A, OTHER COST OF THAT IDEA. SOME OF WHICH ARE QUITE LONG-TERM, SOME WHICH COULD ALSO BE NEAR-TERM, AS WAS SAID, MAYBE BROUGHT BACK IN THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE FOR CONSIDERATION . THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I ALSO WANT TO SAY GOODMAN WAS JOINED BY ANOTHER DEPARTMENT, TRENDS IN ENGINEERING. HELPED WITH QUITE A BIT OF THE WORK, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOUR STAFF. I THINK WE WORK WELL AND THE WOODLANDS, AGAIN, GRANTING HAPPENING, THESE SERVICES ARE HIGHLY VALUED BY PEOPLE WHO USE THEM. WE WANT TO IDENTIFY WAYS THAT ARE MEANINGFULLY INCREMENTALLY IMPROVING THINGS. HELP THE TOWNSHIP FIGURE OUT THE FISCAL FUTURE FOR THE SERVICES.
>> DEFINITELY AN AMENITY THAT SO MANY OF US IN THE WOODLANDS ENJOY . WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE, JONATHAN AND KAREN , OF COURSE RUTHANN , FOR GIVING US SUCH HIGH QUALITY SERVICE FOR THE RESIDENTS AS WELL AS THE VISITORS.
>> JUST ONE LESS SHAMELESS PLUG AS YOU MENTIONED IT'S AMENITY, NOT EVERYONE UTILIZES IT TO GO TO WORK, BUT YOU CAN UTILIZE IT TO GO TO THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO .
TICKETS ON SALE NOW IF YOU GO TO THE RODEO EXPRESS .COM .
ANYONE CAN THEN UTILIZE AND ENJOY THE BUSES ON THE WAY TO
THE RODEO . >> SERVICES HAVE BEEN EXPENDED
FOR THIS YEAR? >> IT HAS. WE ADDED THURSDAY TO THE SERVICE SCHEDULE AS WELL AS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY OF SPRING BREAK. A LOT OF THE FEEDBACK WE HAVE GOTTEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS IS WE WANT TO GO TO A CONCERT ON TUESDAY NIGHT SO WE THOUGHT SPRING BREAK WOULD BE THE BEST WE TO TRY THAT SINCE PEOPLE ARE OUT OF SCHOOL. WE SEE TICKET SALES
REALLY PICKING UP. >> WHAT IS THE COST OF THE
TICKETS >> $13 ROUND-TRIP SO TO PUT
THEM PARKING. >> YOU GET DROPPED OFF RIGHT AT
THE RODEO. >> YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PARK.
>> ONE A QUESTION. GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION STAY SO CAN WE START DOING MAYBE SOME VIDEOS OF THIS AND HOW IT WORKS? I AM SOMEONE THAT IS PRETTY FASCINATED, BECAUSE I SEE THE BUSES ALL THE TIME, BUT IT GETS A LITTLE NERVE-RACKING NOT TO SEE HOW IT ALL WORKS. I THINK IT WOULD BE COOL TO SEE
[01:10:06]
LIKE THE RODEO AS AN EXAMPLE, BUT ALL THE DIFFERENT SERVICE SPOTS WE GO TO, WHERE TO GO, HOW TO DO IT, HOW TO VIDEO, MAYBE THERE IS FEDERAL FUNDING GRANT SECOND COVER THE COST TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT PLATONICALLY WE HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL COMMUNICATION STAFF WHO HAVE THE IN-HOUSE CAPABILITIES OF DOING THAT. STEPHEN PUT A WONDERFUL VIDEO TOGETHER FOR THE RODEO. HE WILL SEE IF YOU KNOW THE EMPLOYEES, WE HAVE SOME EMPLOYEES WHO START OR START IN THE VIDEO, ON THE ROAD EXPRESS WEBSITE RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE PLANS FOR EXPANDING INTO HOW-TO VIDEOS FOR THE TRANSIT AGENCY.>> GREAT . >> WOULD YOU REFRESH THE TIMELINE ? GO BACK TO THE SLIDE FROM TONIGHT THROUGH JUNE OF
2024 . >> YES. THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE ARE REQUESTING FOR APPROVAL TONIGHT INCLUDE THE INITIATION OF THIS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE PROPOSED FARE INCREASE ALSO THE APPROVAL OF THE ADDITIONAL POLICIES RELATED TO THE WOODLANDS EXPRESS, CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH WAS SABE FOR THE PROVISION OF THAT TEMPLE
FARE SYSTEM . >> MADAM CHAIRMAN?
>> LAST QUESTION . >> OF COURSE.
>> ARE WE TRYING TO RECOVER THE COST OF WAS SABE AT ALL IN
THE NEW CHARGES? >> SO THIS FARE INCREASE COULD COVER PORTIONS OF THAT SO WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE BUDGET AND BUDGET FORECAST OF INCLUDING THE ADDITIONAL FEE IN WAS SABE . WE HAVE GONE BACK AND FORTH OF PUTTING USER FEES TOWARDS THE PARKING RIGHT . IS IT WHETHER, NOT? THE KIND OF THING, BUT IT IS BUILT INTO THE BUDGETS AND THIS FARE INCREASE
WOULD COVER THAT COST . >> IT LOOKS LIKE ONE DOLLAR PER RIDE. IT MAY BE THAT PEOPLE INCLUDE THAT IN THE FARES TO
COVER THE COST. >> YES, THE COULD ALSO CONSIDER HAVING A POLICY WHERE WE PUT A TRANSACTION FEE CONSIDERED WITH THE TRANSACTION SALE. WHETHER IT BE A MOBILE TRANSACTION FEE OR CREDIT CARD FEE, POST SOMETHING TO
CONSIDER. >> OTHER QUESTIONS FOR JONATHAN, KAREN OR RUTHANN? IF NOT --
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WELL DONE.
>> TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME, HELPFUL TO GET THESE ANSWERS AND UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN HELP MAKE THIS BETTER . WITH THAT, I WOULD MOVE TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION THAT WE PROCEED WITH THE PROCESS FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO PROCEED WITH THE RECOMMENDED FARE INCREASE AS WELL AS THE OTHER PROCEDURAL POLICY CHANGES AS THEY HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED.
>> SECOND. >> IT IS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED . ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
>> I THAT WE APPROVE THE ADDITION OF THE POLICY RELATED TO THE WOODLANDS PARKING RIGHT IS PRESENTED, APPROVE THE AMENDMENT WITH MASABI , FOR THE PROVISION OF THE RADIOFREQUENCY ID CARDS, SINGLE-USE FAIR CARDS, COMPATIBLE WITH THE ONBOARD TICKET VALIDATION SYSTEM AND AUTHORIZE THE RESIDENT AND CEO OF THE TOWNSHIP, NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION IS APPROVED TO THE FINAL FOUR BY THE TOWNSHIP
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE.
>> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. >> GOOD JOB , BUT I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT BESIDES THE CITY OF HOUSTON, GREATER HOUSTON AREA, WE HAVE THE NUMBER 2 LARGEST PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM BEHIND METRO. THAT IS SHOCKING.
>> ORDER OF MAGNITUDE, 92%. >> STILL.
>> WE ARE WORKING TO BE ON TBC, GET SOME STROKE WITH HD AC, BUT AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW OR TALK TO TODD, QUITE A MESS
RIGHT NOW . >> MORE REASON TO GET ON BOARD.
[8. Receive, consider and act upon the 2023 Summary of Accomplishments;]
ITEM EIGHT, RECEIVED AND CONSIDERED AN ACT UPON THE 2023 SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS, MONIQUE SHARP, PRESIDENT CEO WILL PROVIDE SUMMARY OF ALL OF THE WONDERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENTSTHE SCREEN WENT BLANK TOO . >> OKAY.
>> MONI ONE OF THE DIRECTORS IS OUT IN THE HALL.
>> OKAY . >> SHE IS SIGNING UP FOR THE
[01:15:14]
BUS CLEANING SERVICE. >> I THINK SHE WILL BE A
>> OKAY. IT IS MY PLEASURE TONIGHT TO PRESENT TO YOU AND TO OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS, SUMMARY OF THE 2023 ACHIEVEMENTS. THESE WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHTS, BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY MORE ACHIEVEMENTS THAN I COULD SHOW TONIGHT, BUT I DO WANT TO GO TO THE HIGHLIGHTS AND WE WILL TRY TO GO QUICKLY SO WE DO NOT GET POWERPOINT FATIGUE. OUR TOWNSHIP, THE PART THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT TONIGHT IN TERMS OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND WHY WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT IS EXCELLENT FINANCIAL CONDITION, OUR HIGH QUALITY SERVICES AND AMENITIES, OUR COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND OUR LANNING FOR THE FUTURE. HOW WE COMMIT TO THE THINGS THAT YOU SEE THERE, CUSTOMER SERVICE, COMMUNICATIONS, CONSERVATIVE BUDGET PRINCIPLES, IN ORDER TO MAKE ALL OF THAT HAPPEN. I MENTIONED THAT WE ARE IN EXCELLENT FINANCIAL CONDITION.
IT IS EASY FOR ME TO SIT UP HERE AND SAY THAT, BUT WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS POINT TO WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AND ONE OF THE PRIMARY WAYS TO DO THAT IS TO LOOK AT OUR BOND RATING . BOOTIES AND STANDARD & POOR'S, EVERY YEAR, THEY GO THROUGH ALL OF OUR INFORMATION AND INDEPENDENT BASIS AS WELL AS AUDITORS AND THEY DETERMINE FOR THEMSELVES HOW WELL THEY THINK WE ARE DOING. THAT IS REFLECTED IN OUR CREDIT RATING WHICH WE ARE MAINTAINING AT A DOUBLE A+. THAT IS THE HIGHEST BOND RATING ACHIEVABLE IN TEXAS, INCORPORATED COMMUNITY. IT PLACES THE TOWNSHIP IN AN ELITE GROUP FOR THE OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT . SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT ARE IN THE CREDIT AGENCY REPORT INCLUDE THE STRONG FISCAL MANAGEMENT HISTORY OF SOUND RESEARCH, CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING PRINCIPLES, LARGE AND DIVERSE BACKSPACE AND LOW DEBT AND POST EMPLOYMENT AND IF IT BURDENS.
SO I WILL START OFF TALKING ABOUT OUR IT STANDING DEBT BALANCES. YOU CAN SEE HERE A HISTORY OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS FROM 2014 UNTIL 2024, HOW THOSE DEBT BALANCES HAVE BEEN STEADILY REDUCED. REDUCED BY $62 MILLION, 71%, IN THAT TIME. THIS SLIDE I LIKE TO SHOW FROM AGAIN AN OUTSIDE SOURCE. A TEXAS BOND REVIEW BOARD. IT COLLECTS INFORMATION FROM EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT SHOWS HOW ON A PER CAPITA BASIS HOW DEBT COMPARES TO CITIES OR COMMUNITIES SIMILAR IN OUR SIZE. YOU CAN SEE HERE, THIS IS WHO THEY CHOOSE TO COMPARE US TO, PEARLAND, ABILENE, ROUND ROCK, COLLEGE STATION, RICHARDSON AND SO ON. WE WENT IN THE MIDDLE, THE TINY LITTLE THING. YOU CAN SEE ON A PER CAPITA BASIS, WE ARE BY FAR THE SMALLEST, FOR OUR PEER GROUP, WE COULD ADD THAT AND WE WOULD STILL BE THE SMALLEST BY FAR.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE TOWNSHIP THEN ALL OF THE REST OF THESE COMMUNITIES THAT ALLOWS US TO DO THIS? THAT ANSWER IS RIGHT HERE. IT IS OUR RESERVES. SPECIFICALLY THOSE THAT ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN COLOR YELLOW THERE, THE SECOND ARROW DOWN , BECAUSE WE HAVE OUR CAPITAL REPLACEMENT RESERVES AND OUR NEEDS ASSESSMENT FROM THE PARKS AND FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHAT THE TOWNSHIP AND WHAT YOU DID LAST YEAR THIS BOARD IN YOUR BUDGET PROCESS IS, AS WE GENERATE ADDITIONAL INCOME FROM SAVINGS OR FROM EXPENSE SAVINGS OR ADDITIONAL SALES TAX HIGHER THAN WHAT WE PROJECTED, THE BOARD VERY WISELY PUTS THOSE IN DESIGNATED RESERVE SO IT DOES NOT LEAVE THEM DESIGNATED, NOT A BIG SLUSH FUND, BUT DESIGNATED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES . BY PUTTING IT IN THE CAPITAL RESERVE, WE DO NOT HAVE TO GO OUT AND ISSUE BONDS FOR FIRE EQUIPMENT OR EVEN MAJOR RENOVATIONS TO THE FIRE FACILITIES OR TO OUR PARK FACILITIES. THERE MAY BE AN APPROPRIATE ISSUE OR TIME TO ISSUE DEBT LIKE IF WE HAVE A HUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OR SOMETHING, BUT THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THAT IS ALWAYS BAD, BUT WHAT THIS DOES SHOW AS IS THAT THERE IS A VERY WISE AND SUCCESSFUL DEBT PLAN THAT IS BEEN IN PLACE AS THIS BOARD HAS CONTINUED IN ORDER TO DO THAT. CONTRIBUTES TO OUR SOUND FINANCIAL POSITION, CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE DOUBLE A+ RATING . THE OTHER THING THAT REALLY BENEFITS US WHEN WE SAW THAT WAS IN A CREDIT AGENCY COMMENT, OUR DIVERSE TAX BASE. WE DO
[01:20:08]
NOT AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, OUR OUT OF THE TOTAL $177 MILLION BUDGET, 54% OF THAT COMES FROM THE SALES AND HOTEL TAX. I WILL NOT GO THROUGH THIS LEVEL OF DETAIL TONIGHT, BUT WE WILL SEE IT IN THE BUDGET. EVEN OUR SALES TAXES DIVERSE. PEOPLE THINK OF SALES TAX AS RETAIL AND RESTAURANTS, BUT OURS IS SO MUCH MORE. WE ACTUALLY HAVE 26 DIFFERENT CLASSES, INDUSTRY CLASS CODES WHERE WE DERIVE SALES TAX FROM. WHERE FORTUNATE, BECAUSE WHEN IT GOES DOWN, WE ALMOST SEE ANOTHER ONE THAT COMPENSATES FOR THAT. WHEN WE LOOK -- TEXAS COMPTROLLER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, IN TEXAS, LOOKS AT THE RATIO OF SALES TAX TO PROPERTY TAX, IN MOST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, OUR SIZE AND OTHERS, FOR EVERY ONE DOLLAR THAT IS RAISED IN SALES TAX, YOU HAVE SEVEN DOLLARS IN PROPERTY TAX. MEANING THIS CHART THAT WE SEE HERE IS ACTUALLY FOR MOST OF THESE. MOST CITIES RELY SEVEN TIMES MORE HEAVILY ON THE SALES TAX ON PROPERTY TAX. WE ARE NOT ONE OF THOSE. THAT WENT IS A TREMENDOUS ASSET, TREMENDOUS POSITION FOR US TO BE IN. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE SALES TAX. WE SEE HERE OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT SEVEN YEARS, WHEN IT IS DONE, IN 2023, OR EVEN IN 2021 AND 2022, WE CAME BACK OUT OF COVID. WE HAVE EXCEEDED ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF. WE HAD A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR IN 2023, VOLUME ] PROJECTING FOR 2024 AS WELL. AGAIN, THIS IS HUGELY IMPORTANT AS WE WILL GET TO IN A SECOND, BECAUSE THIS ALLOWS US TO OFFSET OUR PROPERTY TAX REQUIREMENTS.>> AS DOES THIS, HOTEL OCCUPANCY TEXAS. HOTEL TOOK EVEN A HARD HIT DURING COVID THAN THE SALES TEXTED SO YOU CAN SEE THE REBOUND FROM 2020 , IT IS BEEN REMARKABLE THANKS TO THE THE WOODLANDS STAFF, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, HOTEL PROPERTIES, WE HAVE JUST SEEN A TREMENDOUS REBOUND HERE. AGAIN A RECORD-BREAKING COLLECTIONS IN 2023, $9.6 MILLION. THE OTHER GRANT, SORT OF SKIPPED OVER IT, BUT WE ALSO HAD A 17% OF THEIR INCOME , NONSALES AND HOTEL TAX THAT IS ALSO HELPING US KEEP OUR PROPERTY TAX DOWN. ONE OF THOSE IS THE KNICKS BEVERAGE TAX, NEW TO THE TOWNSHIP IN 2024. IT IS NOT A NEW TAX, BUT IT USED TO BE -- THIS TAX HAS ALWAYS BEEN COLLECTIVE, BUT IT USED TO GO TO THE STATE OF TEXAS. THAT MONEY IS NOW BEING ALLOCATED TO THE TOWNSHIP. THIS WAS DUE TO THESE -- SUCCESS OF LAST YEAR' AS BOARDS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY. THAT WAS CODIFIED AND BILL BEFORE 11, BOARD WERE CLOSELY WITH THE STATE REPRESENTATIVES THIS BILL HOUSE BILL 5311 WAS PASSED. I THINK NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST DEPOSIT. THE STATE COMPTROLLER, WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THIS TAX, THEY SAW THE TOWNSHIP WOULD BE RECEIVING ABOUT $900,000 A YEAR, WOULD TAKE IS FIVE OR SIX YEARS TO GET TO $1.4 MILLION. RIGHT NOW IN THE BUDGET WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS WE WERE LIKE, NO, WE THINK WE WILL GET 1.2 MILLION IN 2024. RIGHT NOW OUR CURRENT TREND BASED ON THE FIRST REPORT IS 1.6 MILLION DOLLARS SO WE ARE KNOCKING THIS ONE OVER THE PARK.
>> WE ARE OVERTURES IN THE DRINKING CATEGORY.
>> RIGHT THIS AS MUCH, BUT I WILL JUST POINT IT OUT FOR HIGHLIGHT FOR 2023, INTEREST INCOME. WE HAVE A VERY ORY MANAGE OUR INVESTMENTS VERY CLOSELY IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD STRATEGY FOR HOW WE DID THAT. WHEN INTEREST RATES TANK, WE KEPT OUR INVESTMENTS SHORT-TERM, BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW IT WAS GOING TO GO UP THIS I, BUT WE FIGURED IT WOULD COME BACK OUT SO WE DID NOT WANT TO INVEST ANYTHING LONG-TERM, BUT KEPT IT VERY SHORT, UNDER YEAR SO, BECAUSE OF THAT WE WERE REALLY ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE WITH THE INTEREST RATE STARTING TO CLIMB SO YOU CAN SEE HERE IN 2022, WE HAD LESS THAN $1 MILLION IN INVESTMENT A, HAD 5.
OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS ] >> THAT IS HUGE.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> IF YOU A LOT OF CREDIT FOR
THAT AND YOUR TEAM. >> THANK YOU.
>> AGAIN, WHAT DOES IT ALLOW THE BOARD TO DO ? WE HAVE THIS OF THE INCA, WE HAVE ON PROPERTY TAX INCOME, IT GIVES THE BOARD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE THAT BURDEN BETTER FOR OUR TAX PAYERS. TWO IS THAT THE BOARD DID THAT LAST YEAR WHICH WAS SEEN THE EFFECT IN 2024, THE IMPLEMENTED THE FIRST EVER
[01:25:04]
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. THAT LOWER TAXABLE VALUES BY $459 MILLION, RESULTING IN ABOUT IT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN SAVINGS, QUALIFYING TAXPAYERS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, BE BOARD INCREASED THE EXEMPTION FOR AGE 65 AND DISABLED DUE TO, 40,000 TO THE 50,000. THAT LOWERED TAXABLE VALUES BY ABOUT 422 MILLIONS DOLLARS AND RESULTED IN SAVINGS OF $800,000 SO IF YOU QUALIFY FOR BOTH OF THOSE, IN TOTAL ABOUT $1.6 MILLION IN SAVINGS LAST YEAR FOR THE TAXPAYERS. THE OTHER THING THAT THE BOARD DID THAT WAS ALLOWED TO DO , BECAUSE OF THE OTHER FINANCIAL SUCCESSES WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS LOWER THE TAX RATE FOR 2024 TO WHAT IS CALLED THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. WHEN THEY GET TOO TECHNICAL, BUT BASICALLY WHEN IT IS APPLIED MEANS AT THE TOWNSHIP AS A WHOLE DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY MORE PROPERTY TAX THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. WE ARE KEEPING PROPERTY TAX FLAT.THAT IS WHAT YOU SEE HERE. THAT HAS BEEN A POLICY DECISION OF LAST YEAR' IS BOARD AS WELL AS PREVIOUS PORTS AS YOU SEE HERE. MOST OF THE SPORTS ACCEPT FOR TO WENT TO THE LOWER REVENUE RATE AND ARE CURRENT REVENUE RATE IS 17.14 SENSE.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? IT MEANS FOR AN AVERAGE HOME VALUE OF $500,000, ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP OR TAXPAYER PAYS $831. WHEN YOU PAY YOUR TAXES, AT THE END OF THE YEAR IN JANUARY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THE TOWNSHIP' IS TAX IT GETS INCLUDED ON THE BIG ALSO PEOPLE DO NOT ALWAYS REALIZE, HE RICKLES, BUT OURS IS ONLY 11% OF THE TOTAL BILL, $831. IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND LESSON 10%, 8% IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHAT DOES THAT $831 A YEAR GET YOU IF YOU'RE A RESIDENT OF THE AREA , THE WOODLANDS ? I THINK THE REASON FOR THE VALUE, GET YOU VERY HIGH QUALITY LEVEL OF SERVICES AND AMENITIES. WE ARE COMMITTED, BOARD HAS BEEN COMMITTED, TO PROVIDING THIS LEVEL OF AMENITIES , HIGH QUALITY AND WE WILL LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE. FOR SMALL THE WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT, GREAT TO HAVE THEM HERE EARLIER TO COMMEND THEM FOR THE SERVICE IN THE ONE FIRE. THEY PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS DAY IN AND DAY OUT. INCREDIBLE DEPARTMENT THEY ARE. THEY HAVE AN ISO RATING OF ONE, THE HIGHEST AVAILABLE , HIGHEST RATING AVAILABLE. LESS THAN 1% OF DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES ACHIEVE THIS RATING. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY AN ELITE GROUP . OTHER HIGHLIGHTS IN 2023, THE 10TH COMPANY WAS PLACED IN SERVICE IN FEBRUARY, 2023, 16 ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL, OUT IN THE WESTERN PORTIONS OF THE WOODLANDS WHERE WE SEE THE GROWTH , ALLOWING US TO IMPROVE THOSE RESPONSE TIMES FOR THOSE AREAS. I WILL NOT READ TO ALL OF THESE, BUT WE HAD DIFFERENT ASSETS THAT THE BOARD FUNDED AND APPROVED AND RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVING THAT TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS AND MAINTAIN OUR ISO RATING OF ONE. THE BOARD ALSO ENHANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR 2024. WE WORK VERY WELL WITH OUR PARTNERS, MCKENDREE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, THE HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE OFFICE PRECINCT 4, MONTGOMERY COUNTY CONSTABLE OFFICE PRECINCT 3 . AGAIN, I WOULD NOT READ THROUGH EVERYTHING HERE, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENT PERSONAL LEVELS WE HAVE HERE. THE BOARD ADDED A TOTAL , ADDING IN MY HEAD REAL QUICK, 13 DIFFERENT POSITIONS LAST YEAR TO SUPPORT THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, AS GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITY INCREASES. WE ACTUALLY HAD NOT HAD AN INCREASE SINCE 2017 AND OUR DEPUTIES. WE LOOKED AT THAT, BOARD LOOKED AT THAT VERY CLOSELY LAST YEAR AND THIS WAS THE RESULT. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES, IT IS OUR DEPARTMENT THAT SUPPORTS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES. DIFFERENT COLLABORATION AND PROGRAMS. SUMMER LISTED HERE. I WAS GOING TO ANNOUNCE IT TONIGHT THAT WE HAD ONE NATIONAL, OUR TEAM GOT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT FOR SPACE, GOT AHEAD OF ME THIS MORNING AND COMMUNICATIONS WHICH IS JUST FINE SO HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THAT WE DID RECEIVE FIRST PLACE IN THE PROGRAM LAST YEAR.
SERVICES TEAM HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB, VERY PROUD OF
THEM. >> ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, AGAIN MORE THAN -- I SOUGHT MINUTE OF YOU IN ARBOR DAY , MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION GIVEN AWAY, THIS DEPARTMENT WORKS
[01:30:03]
CLOSELY WITH THE WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AND RECYCLING PROGRAMS. THEY DID LAST YEAR RECEIVED THE GOALS START AFFILIATE REWARD FROM KEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL FOR THEIR DIFFERENT AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS. PARKS AND RECREATION, I THINK THE THING THAT I WANT TO SAY HERE IS WE WILL GO THROUGH A COUPLE OF MAJOR PART THINGS , BUT DAY IN AND DAY OUT BASIS IT IS INCREDIBLE THE AMOUNT OF AMENITIES AT THEY HAVE TO MAINTAIN IN THIS COMMUNITY.THEY DO A FANTASTIC JOB . IT IS NOT ALWAYS PERFECT, BUT IT IS UNBELIEVABLE WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO , THE AMOUNT THAT THEY HAVE TO DO, HOW THEY DO THAT. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE DIFFERENT AMENITIES HERE THAT WE HAVE. I WILL NOT READ THROUGH ALL OF THEM . IN ADDITION TO THIS, WE HAVE TEXAS TREE VENTURES. THE BOARD LAST YEAR AUTHORIZED THE FUNDING, COMPLETED LAST YEAR, OF THE SECOND PHASE OF TEXAS TREE VENTURES. WE WERE ABLE TO BUILD ON TOP OF THE BASE THAT WAS ALREADY THERE. I KNOW THERE IS A THIRD PHASE, THAT MAY BE COMING IN THIS UPCOMING SEASON, BUT FANTASTIC AMENITY, LOTS OF VISITORS AND RESIDENTS ENJOY THIS . AL KALINE PARK, MANY OF YOU WERE AT THIS OPENING. THE DEDICATING OF THE FIRST PICKLE BALL COURTS, EIGHT THOSE. IN ADDITION TO THAT THERE ARE OTHER RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS GOING ON IN THE PARK THAT WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT AND THE BOARD WILL SEE MORE ON THAT LATER THIS YEAR. BEAR BRANCH FAIRGROUNDS, I THINK ALL OF YOU HAVE GOTTEN AN INVITATION RECENTLY. GRAND OPENING ON MARCH 1ST. IT IS FANTASTIC, KIDS, DELTA LIKE, FANTASTIC TIME AT THIS. IT IS GREAT.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY AT FAIR RIDGE PART , YOU CAN SEE IT THERE, COVERED AND END, MULTI SPORTS CART. ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF 2023 IS THE TOWNSHIP RECEIVED A $7.5 MILLION GRANT FROM TEXT. IN ORDER TO BUILD ONE OF THE LAST MAJOR LINKS THAT WE ARE MISSING IN OUR PATHWAY SYSTEM.
TO CONNECT FROM 14 88 OVER TO HARPERS LENNEE ON THE EAST SIDE OF I 45, DOING THAT BY BUILDING THIS PATHWAY DOWN TO 42.
SEVERAL YEARS AWAY FROM HAVING THAT, BUT IT IS VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE GRANT, PARKS AND RECREATION TEAM, SPECIFICALLY CHRIS WORKED VERY HARD ON GETTING THIS MONEY. IT WILL BE A GREAT AMENITY. WOODLANDS WATERWAY, TOWNSHIP ASSUMED OWNERSHIP FOR THAT AMENITY LAST YEAR WHICH WILL GIVE US OPPORTUNITIES TO DO EVEN MORE PROGRAMMING ALONG THAT. ONE OF THOSE IDEAS IS COMING TO THE BOARD NEXT WEEK. 208, PARCEL A WRONG SOUTH COSTLY , ANOTHER TREATMENT FROM THE BOARD AND 2023, SQUIGGLY LITTLE WHOLE BUNCH OF GREEN IN THE MIDDLE THERE, THAT IS THE AREA. THE BOARD AUTHORIZED A STUDY LAST YEAR WHICH IS UNDERWAY, I BELIEVE WE WILL BE COMING BACK WHEN A MONTH WITH THE RESULTS OF THAT. WE KNOW SOME OF THIS IS IN THE FLOODPLAIN , WE KNEW THAT WHEN WE ACQUIRED IT, BUT WE WILL BE ABLE TO START LOOKING AT WHAT WE CAN DO ON THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY. ALSO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE BOARD IN 2023 WAS ITS INVESTMENTS IN THE STATION, 1 MILLION, LARGEST INVESTMENT WE HAVE HAD IN RIVER FOR STATION, WILL GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLANT OVER 6000 TREES . WITH THE JOB AND FREEZES AND ALL OF THAT THAT IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF OUR FORCE. FINALLY OUR SPECIAL EVENTS DEPARTMENT, SPECIAL EVENTS GROUP PRODUCES OVER 60 SPECIAL EVENTS A YEAR. THEY ARE CONSTANTLY BUSY, AWESOME THEY ARE. ONE OF OUR BIG EVENT IS COMING UP THIS YEAR SO MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OCTOBER 19. THAT IS A SATURDAY. THAT WILL BE A PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOODLANDS AND A LOT MORE TO COME ON THAT IN THE COMING WEEKS. FINALLY VISIT THE WOODLANDS . ALSO IT SPONSORS MANY OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS HERE. IT DRIVES THOSE SALES TAX AND HOTEL TAX REVENUES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. HERE YOU SEE SOME OF THE MAJOR EVENTS THAT THEY SPONSOR, LGB A, NEW TO US IN THE TOWNSHIP LAST YEAR.
IRONMAN, THE WOODLANDS ARTS FESTIVAL, THE FARE , GREAT EVENTS FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. ALSO JUST WANT TO MENTION REAL QUICK MOST OF THIS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS NOT JUST WITH THE TOWNSHIP, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE ALL OF THIS HAPPENED SO I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THOSE
[01:35:01]
RELATIONSHIPS AND THANK THEM FOR ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS HERE ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP. FINALLY WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2023, BUT I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT WE DO NOT JUST STAY WHERE WE ARE. WE ARE NOT JUST LOOKING WHERE WE ARE, BUT WE KNOW THIS BOARD HAS BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT RECOGNIZING THAT WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE SUCCESES. WE ARE CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES. THERE IS REVIEW OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS THE BOARD ALWAYS LOOK AT THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN NOT JUST THE CURRENT BUDGET. WE HAVE PARKS NEEDS ASSESSMENT, CAPITAL REPLACEMENT RESERVE THAT I TALKED ABOUT SO ALL OF THESE ARE TYPES OF THINGS THAT THE BOARD IS CONSTANTLY MONITORING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN EYE ON THE FUTURE. THIS IS WHERE HE STARTED. THIS IS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO ALMOST END. SO BY BEING SUCCESSFUL IN THESE THINGS IN OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION, OUR SERVICES AND AMENITIES, COLLABORATION IN OUR PLANNING, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IT LED TO WAS THIS. OUR AWARDS FOR THE CITY TO BUY A HOUSE, THE CITY TO RAISE A FAMILY, BEST CITY -- I KNOW WE ARE NOT A CITY, BUT THAT IS HOW THEY TERM IT SO WE WILL GO AT THAT. I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT HERE, SORT OF WHAT I WANT TO END WITH IS WE DO NOT DO ALL OF THIS, BUT THE STAFF AND THE BOARD DOES IT FOR AWARDS. WE MENTION SEVERAL AWARDS TONIGHT, THEY ARE GREAT, GREAT TO HAVE THE RECOGNITION, BUT WE ALL COLLECTIVELY DO THIS, BECAUSE THIS IS OUR HOME AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO US AND PROUD OFIT. >> THANK YOU, MONIQUE. WE WILL SHARE WITH YOU , YOU AND YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM HAVE INSTILLED THE VISION, PROFESSIONALISM, THE EXPERTISE TO THE GOALS OF THIS BOARD ESPECIALLY THIS PAST YEAR. THEY WERE ACHIEVED AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE WITHOUT ALL OF YOU. WE ARE VERY, VERY TRANQUIL . IT HAS BEEN A GREAT YEAR, GREAT YEAR .
>> WITH THAT, I NEED A MOTION AND SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR
[9. Receive, consider and act upon a charter authorizing the creation of a Homelessness Task Force and appointments in connection therewith; ]
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE.
>> OPPOSE? MOTION PASSES. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9. RECEIVES AND CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A CHARTER AUTHORIZATION THE CREATION OF A HOMELESS TAX WARS AND APPOINTMENTS IN CONNECTION. JERRY 24 2020 FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DIRECTED STAFF TO DIRECT A CHARTER FOR A HOMELESS TASK FORCE , DIRECTOR OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS WILL PRESENT A VERY SHORT SUMMARIZATION OF THE DRAFT
CHARTER . >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. I WILL TAKE THAT TO NOTE . FOLLOWING UP ON THE PREVIOUS ACTION THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR PACKET THIS EVENING, A DRAFT CHARTER TO CONSIDER FOR THE CREATION OF THE HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE.
LAYING OUT THE STRUCTURE OF THE TASK FORCE, WHAT IS IMPORTANT TONIGHT PARTICULAR AS IT OUTLINES THE FOUR KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE TASK FORCE AS WELL AS PROVIDES THAT THE TASK FORCE WILL CONSIST OF UP TO THREE BOARD DIRECTORS, APPOINTED BY THE CHAIRMAN, OF THE FULL BOARD, A CHAIRMAN FOR THE TASK FORCE TO ALSO BE APPOINTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FULL BOARD THEN OBVIOUSLY THE AFFIRMATION OF THE FULL BOARD FOR THE CREATION OF THE CHARTER ADOPTION OF THE CHARTER AND SUB ACCEPTANCE OF THOSE APPOINTMENTS. IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTION, GLAD TO ANSWER OTHERWISE IT WOULD BE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHAIRMAN SNYDER TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENTS THEN FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER THE CHARTER.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. TODD, NO, THIS WAS A VISION, DIRECTOR HEISER HAD SO WE ARE VERY, VERY TRANQUIL. NO, I'VE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE EXPRESS INTEREST BOTH DIRECTOR HEISER AND DIRECTOR NELSON VISITED WITH UP THE TOP, BECAUSE I WAS ELECTED TO THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL WHICH IS PART OF THE HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL, I DECLINED, BECAUSE I JUST DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY OR THE TIME TO DEVOTE TO SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT THAT I DON'T NEEDS ONGOING CARE AND NURTURING SO I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, BUT IT IS A CONFLICT THAT JUST APPEARED AND I AM GRATEFUL THAT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT AND TRANSPORTATION IS
SOMETHING DEAR TO MY HEART. >> THEN SUGGESTED THERE IS A MOTION, SECOND TO HAVE CINDY HEISER AND LINDA NELSON REPRESENT US ON THE HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE SUAZO
>> IT IS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED . ALL THOSE IN FAVOR
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE.
[10. Receive, consider and act upon Task Order #14 from Halff Associates, Inc. (C- 2022-0189) for conceptual site planning for a community park at Grogan's Mill Village Center;]
>> OPPOSE? MOTION PASSES, WELL DONE, WE WILL EXPECT GREAT
[01:40:06]
THINGS. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 10. I WILL FOR YOU TO PAGES 100 THROUGH PAGE 113, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER DR. NOONS WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION RELATING TO THE TASK ORDER FOR 14 FROM HEALTH ASSOCIATES FOR THE CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN FOR A COMMUNITY PARK AT THE GIRLS WILL VILLAGE CENTER UTILIZING FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE .>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN SNYDER. AS YOU SAID THIS IS FOR A VILLAGE PART IN THE VILLAGE CENTER OF GROGAN'S MILL SHOPPING CENTER. JUST TO BRING YOU BACK ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO, HOWARD HUGHES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY DID A, QUOTE,
UNQUOTE, LAND? >>. THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE THE PROPERTY WHERE THE CURRENT LIBRARY COMMUNITY CENTER ARE AND PUT THAT INTO THE OLD RANDALL SITE.
UPON COMPLETION OF THEM, THAT COMMUNITY CENTER AS WELL AS ELABORATE WILL BE DEEDED OVER TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY. THE REMAINING PARTS OF THE CENTER WILL BE OWNED BY HOWARD HUGHES.
WITHIN THEM, THE TOWNSHIP WAS ASKED, CAN WE DEVELOP A PARK IN THAT AREA THAT COULD ACCOMMODATE THE FARMERS MARKET ? A LITTLE BIT OF A BACKGROUND IN THE FARMERS MARKET. IT IS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE 2008, IT RUNS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. IN OUR REVIEW OF THE AREA, IN THIS POWERPOINT, JUST KIND OF GIVE YOU REFERENCE OF THE CLOSEST POINTS OF ERRORS CROSS, 3400 ABOUT 1700 FEET AWAY . SAWMILL PARK WHICH IS A VILLAGE PART, 2500 FEET A WAY . WHEN WE LOOK AT A VILLAGE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK WE SEE TRADITIONAL AMENITIES . IT COULD BE SITE AMENITIES OF PICNIC TABLES, BE A LITTLE PAVILION, BUT ALSO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY NEEDED TO INCORPORATE AND SUPPORT A FARMERS MARKET OF THE CURRENT SIZE . THE CURRENT SIZE IS ABOUT 7582 BOOTHS, THEY'RE ALL ABOUT 10 BY 10, VARIOUS AREAS FOR SUPPORT THINGS LIKE FOOD TRUCKS, FA AREAS, ELECTRICITY, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. THE TASK ORDER , HERE IS KIND OF A MAP OF THE LOT , BUT IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WOULD BE MY LEFT HAND SIDE, THAT WOULD BE WEIRD THE RANDLES IS , BUT THE GRAY AREA IS THE PROPOSED KIND OF ALLOCATION OF LAND. WHAT WE ARE ASKING TO HAVE TO DO IS DO NOT NECESSARILY LOOK AT THAT GREAT AREA PER SE, BUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY REQUIRED TO MAKE A VILLAGE , NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, COMMUNITY PARK THAT COULD SUPPORT COMMUNITY PARK INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS SUPPORT THE VILLAGE , THE FARMERS MARKET? IT MAY FIT IN THAT AREA. THAT WOULD BE GREAT OR THERE MIGHT BE ANOTHER X AMOUNT OF SPACE, BUT TO REALLY KIND OF MAKE THE NEEDS WORK, NOT WHAT WE ARE REQUESTING, BUT TO FACILITATE THIS WE COULD USE HALF A TASK ORDER SYSTEM. THE BOARD APPROVED THAT HALF IS A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT ENGINEER WE HAVE GONE THROUGH MANY OF THOSE, ACTUALLY ANOTHER ONE IS COMING UP LATER TONIGHT, BUT THE PROCESS WOULD BE THE COST 2000, NO DOLLARS BUDGETED IN THIS FOR PLANNING. THERE ARE NO DOLLARS FOR THE BUILDING OF THIS FACILITY. THIS IS JUST THE CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN . NEXT PHASE WILL BE ANOTHER ENGINEERING IF THEY WERE TO MOVE THE NEXT FOUR CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA SO AT THIS POINT THE BOARD IS DETERMINING
COURSE OF ACTION . >> I HAVE A QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIRMAN. TO CLARIFY, IF YOU WOULD, FOR ME AND FOR OTHERS, PERHAPS TOO, THE PROCESS THAT WE CAME TO RECEIVE THIS LAND OR DO WE OWN IT CURRENTLY? IF SO,
WHO DID WE RECEIVE IT FROM? >> WE DO NOT OWN ANY LAND IN THIS AREA. IT HAS BEEN A REQUEST OF THE ZONING COMPANY AS WELL AS THE COUNTY FOR THE TOWNSHIP TO LOOK INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY PARK THAT COULD SUPPORT THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF FARMERS MARKET AREA .
>> SO WE WOULD TAKE OWNERSHIP PRIOR TO GOING TO TOO FAR DOWN
THE ROAD WITH THIS, RIGHT? >> ALL PART OF THE NEXT STEPS.
WANT TO INVEST A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY THEN NOT HAVE THE OWNERSHIP. THAT IS ONE OF MY CONCERNS.
>> SERVICE FOR THE BOARD. >> RIGHT.
>> I CAN TELL YOU DIRECTOR, ONLY SPEAKING FOR ME, THE NEXT STEPS WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS.
[01:45:03]
>> OWNERSHIP. >> MAKING SURE THAT WE OWN OUR PIECE OF PROPERTY OR HAVE ACCESS TO THE PIECE OF PROPERTY. WE CAN DO INCREDIBLE PARKS, JUST HIGHLIGHTING ALL THE INCREDIBLE WORK THEY DO, BUT WE HAVE GOT TO BE ABLE TO ONLY PARK AND OPERATE THE PARK AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT AND PROVIDE AMENITY TO OUR COMMUNITY.
>> DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN RIDING ON THIS FROM THE COUNTY
OR FROM THE DEVELOPMENT? >> DEFERRING TO MONIQUE NOT
TO OUR KNOWLEDGE . >> NO, WE DO NOT . I MEAN, WE HAVE NOT IN RIDING SO WE DO NOT HAVE A LEGAL DOCUMENT SO AGAIN THIS IS JUST A VERY FIRST PHASE. I HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND WE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD ANY FURTHER WITH THIS WITHOUT ANY OF THAT NAILED DOWN.
>> CHICKEN THE PROBLEM, WITHOUT THIS INITIAL REVIEW WE CANNOT EVEN KNOW IF IT IS VIABLE TO PROCEED . I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING, TRYING TO MAKE THAT
DETERMINATION. >> WITH THE WATERWAY, WE DO NOT HAVE AGREEMENT WITH THAT, BUT I WILL DO DO DILLINGER THAT TO TAKE THAT OVER TO SEE WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE SO I THINK THIS IS MONEY TO SPEND, I THINK IT IS GOING TO MAKE THIS A GREATER AMENITY THAT WILL BE REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT INSTEAD OF JUST A PARKING LOT IT COULD BE SOMETHING EVEN GREATER SO I THINK THEY WILL DO A GREAT JOB AND CHRIS IS PROBABLY MOST CREATIVE GUYS IN THE NATION.
LOW VOLUME ] . >> I THINK IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY TO BEGIN THIS WORK TO SHOW WHAT WE CAN TO AT THE FARMERS MARKET, OR ANYBODY ELSE, THAT CONCERN .
>> ANOTHER REMINDER IS THAT IT IS FOR A COMMUNITY PARK THAT THEN FARMERS MARKET, IF WE WANT TO OR IF THE BOARD SO DESIRES, WANTS TO ENTER INTO A LEASE OR SOME TYPE OF CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT WITH FARMERS MARKET THEN THAT IS THE NEXT STEP, BUT WE CANNOT USE TAXPAYER MONEY JUST TO CREATE A SPACE FOR A FARMERS MARKET. THIS WOULD BE A COMMUNITY PARK THAT PERHAPS WOULD THEN ACCOMMODATE A
FARMERS MARKET. >> WE ARE NOT CONSIDERING BUYING THE LAND, BUT AT THIS POINT, THAT HAS NOT BEEN PART OF SOMEONE'S DISCUSSION. I DO NOT KNOW WHO IS DISCUSSING THIS, BUT SOMEONE'S DISCUSSION, DO THEY WANT US TO
BUY IT ? >> THAT IS NOT PART OF THE DISCUSSION AT THIS POINT . I THINK THAT THE COMMENT THAT WAS MADE EARLIER IS WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT, IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE? CAN WE DEVELOP A COMMUNITY PARK? CAN WE DEVELOP THAT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE FARMERS MARKET TO BE ABLE TO GET TO SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ARE ANSWERING OF WHAT WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE? THOSE ARE QUESTIONS THAT YOU'RE ASKING A VERY VALID, I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT WE ARE MOVING BEYOND THIS, ASSUME THAT WE ARE TO GET APPROVED TONIGHT, IF IT DOES, THAT THOSE OF THE QUESTIONS AFTER WE HAVE THE DESIGN TO SAY, HEY, IT DOES WORK WITH YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT OWNERSHIP, EXES, INGRESS, EGRESS, ONTO THE
PARCEL OF LAND. >> WE DO NOT KNOW QUITE FRANKLY EXACTLY HOW MUCH WE WILL NEED OR WHETHER THIS WILL WORK OR NOT, RIGHT? THIS AREA WE HAVE US WHAT IT IS ALL --
>> WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IT IS WE WANT TO OWN.
>> A GREAT DESIRE BY MANY OF US ON THE BOARD TO PROCEED TO RE- -- REVITALIZATION OF THE CENTERS. THIS IS THE FIRST IT HAS HAD MOVEMENT AND WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT CAN WE PARTNER WITH THOSE WHO ARE REVITALIZING THE CENTER AND ULTIMATELY TELL THEM , THE CENTER IN A MANNER THAT INCREASES THE AMENITY FOR THE SURROUNDING VILLAGE AND RESIDENTS ? ALSO, IT WILL HELP KEEP THE FARMERS MARKET WITH THIS CHANGE TO THE CENTER. SO FOR US TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO AT LEAST TAKE THE FIRST STEP TO DETERMINE WHAT IS VIABLE? ONE OF THE OPTIONS, IF ANY FOR TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS? I'M IN FAVOR OF IT THAT I WOULD MOVE THAT WE AUTHORIZE AND ACCEPT HALF ASSOCIATES MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN.
OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS ] >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE A REQUEST ONTO HIS AMENDMENT THAT WE GET OR REQUEST ALSO IF WE DECIDE TO DO THIS TONIGHT, THAT WE REQUEST OF THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY THAT THEY GIVE US SOME SORT OF INTENTIONALITY COMPUTER THE LAWYER HERE, AT THE TABLE, SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD SAY, NOTHING FINAL, BUT SOMETHING IN WRITING THAT IS THAT THEY REPORT THIS, NOT JUST FANTASIZING HERE.
>> WE ARE NOT FANTASIZING ONE AND TWO THERE IS NO WAY TO OBTAIN WHAT YOU, ONE, FOR SMALL THEIR WERE NOT BE A LEGAL COMMITMENT SO IT WOULD NOT BE WORTH THE PAPER IT IS WRITTEN
[01:50:01]
OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS ] >> IT WOULD BE A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING. >> LET ME FINISH.
>> I AM NOT TRYING TO INTERRUPT, BUT I'M GIVING THE LANGUAGE OF I HAVE, MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, CAN WE DO
SOMETHING LIKE THAT? >> WHAT IS LEGAL COUNCIL?
>> WE ARE DOING THIS ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, NOT AN AGREEMENT, BUT WE ARE GOING OUT TO AS ACCOUNT ASSOCIATES , WHAT CAN
HAPPEN AND WHAT DO WE NEED? >> IF I COULD FINISH. THERE IS CURRENT OWNERSHIP THAT WILL CHANGE. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING , IT IS RELATIVELY FLUID IN THAT RIGHT NOW THE AGREEMENT, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, TO WHICH THE TOWNSHIP IS NOT A PARTY NOR WILL WE BE, IS THAT HOWARD HUGHES IS MAKING THESE IMPROVEMENTS, MAKING THIS CHANGE WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN OWNERSHIP BY THE COUNTY. AND SO, HOWARD HUGHES CANNOT TELL US WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO, BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT CONTROL THAT ONCE IT IS TURNED OVER TO THE COUNTY . THE COUNTY CANNOT COMMIT TO ANYTHING YET, BECAUSE NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS VIABLE, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE TO DO THIS STEP TO
MAKE A DETERMINATION. >> CHRIS, ARE WE LOOKING AT ALL IF WE GO BACK TO THE AERIAL MAP, ARE LOOKING AT ALL OF HOW THE PART OF THE STUDY OF HOW THE TRAIL SYSTEM COULD POTENTIALLY TIE IN TO THE GROGAN'S MILL IN A BETTER WAY?
IS A PART OF THIS? >> THIS IS NOT DIRECTLY PART OF THE HAVE TASK ORDER. WE HAVE STUDIED IT OFF AND ON OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS, SOME OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS HAVE COME THROUGH, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO KNOW IF WE ARE PUTTING SOMETHING THERE THEN HOW DO WE GET THERE THROUGH THE PATHWAY SYSTEM VERSUS TRYING TO GET THERE FIRST WITH THE PATHWAY SYSTEM? THERE ARE SOME ACCESS POINTS THAT ARE IN THE -- ACTUALLY CURRENTLY IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY THE WAY THE SHOPPING CENTER WAS DEEDED, ACTUALLY ROADS THAT ARE DEEDED IN THE COUNTY . WE HAVE HAD SOME INITIAL LEVEL OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COUNTY THAT THEY MIGHT BE OPEN TO GIVING US ACCESS TO RIGHT-OF-WAY PATHWAYS THERE, BUT THAT IS KIND OF THE NEXT STEP . WELL AFTER THIS WE HAVE
TO FIGURE OUT THIS FIRST. >> AS CHRIS SAID THIS MAY NOT EVER GET LEGS AND GO ANYWHERE . MY FEAR IS THAT IF WE DO NOT STEP UP AND SEE HOW WE CAN WORK TO ENHANCE THE REVITALIZATION THAT IS GOING ON AT THE CENTER, THERE MAY BE NOTHING IN TERMS OF NO MORE ROOM FOR THE FARMERS MARKET, NO ROOM FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND CONGREGATE THERE, ENJOY THE THE NEW CENTER. I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES STILL , JUST HARD TO TELL WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS, WHAT IS
POSSIBLE. >> MAY BE A COLLABORATIVE
OPPORTUNITY. >> ONE THE QUESTION IF I MAY.
IS THIS SOMETHING , JUST FROM HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, THAT WE HAVE DONE BEFORE, WHERE WE PUSHED THROUGH A STUDY ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO MEMORANDUM, NO STANDING, NOTHING WRITING, JUST HOPING THAT THIS LAND MIGHT BE AVAILABLE? I KNOW SOMEBODY DISCUSSED IT WITH SOMEBODY, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE ARE GOING ON A LIMB AND WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT TO AUTHORIZE $52,000.
IS THIS HISTORICALLY SOMETHING WE DO ON A REGULAR BASIS? WE
MAY, I DON'T KNOW . >> WE DID THAT WITH THE INCORPORATION. DO NOT FORGET, NO ONE WANTED TO DO THAT, BUT
WE DID IT. >> DO YOU HAVE AN ANSWER FOR
ME? >> IN TERMS OF - LOW VOLUME ] NO, I WOULD ALSO ASK YOU TO THINK ABOUT THIS DIFFERENTLY, SOME OF THE THOUGHT PROCESS , I BELIEVE SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE. REALLY THIS IS A FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS, NOT NECESSARILY CONCEPTUAL PLAN, IS CAN A COMMUNITY PARK, AS WELL AS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE FARMERS MARKET ACTUALLY FIT IN THIS AREA ? WILL IT WORK YES, NO, AND WE COULD SEE IF WE WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS YES, NO,
AFTER-THE-FACT . >> I AM NOT OPPOSED TO IT, BUT I AM OPPOSED TO THE WAY IT IS BEING DONE. I LIKE THE IDEA OF THE PARK THERE, BUT I THINK WE ARE DOING IT IN A WAY THAT BASICALLY SAYS, WE ARE GOING OUTSIDE THE BUDGET AND WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR SOMETHING IN WRITING BEFORE WE SPEND $52,000
. >> CHRIS, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. WE HAVE HAD EXECUTIVE SESSION WHERE THIS WAS TALKED ABOUT TO THE ENTIRE BOARD BEFORE ABOUT IDEAS AND SCOPES
>> WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT WHAT WAS IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT I WILL GO BACK TO WHAT CHRIS SAID. THIS REALLY IS LIKE A FEASIBILITY STUDY. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES, LIKE CHRIS SAID NOT ON A PARK, BUT FOR INSTANCE ANY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT THAT WE DID. FEASIBILITY STUDY WITH THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER DONE YEARS AGO, WE DO NOT OWN A
[01:55:04]
PIECE OF A PROPERTY, DO NOT KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IT SO THIS REALLY IS JUST TAKING THE VERY FIRST STEP TO SEE IF IT IS EVEN FEASIBLE TO DO WHAT WE THINK MIGHT HAPPEN.>> THAT WAS DONE ON THE GOLD LOT. WE DO ON THE GOLD LOT .
>> WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE FACILITY WILL BE PURCHASED.
>> I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE PROPERTY ITSELF OR BEING BUILT SO THIS IS REALLY A FEASIBILITY STUDY.
>> IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, WE KNOW 200 ACRES, BUT IT ONE TIME WE ONLY HAD A SMALLER AMOUNT , BUT WE LOOKED AT , CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG THAT WE LOOKED AT LARGER, WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF WE HAD THE ENTIRE ACREAGE WHICH WE WERE GRANTED THIS YEAR SO WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE. I THINK DIRECTOR FRANKS JUST CALLED THE QUESTION THAT IS BEEN MOVED BY DIRECTOR WATSON AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR FRANKS . ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY
>> MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU, DR. NOON , NEXT, AGENDA ITEM
[11. Receive, consider and act upon items related to the Bear Branch Sportfields restroom area renovation and playground project (C-2024-0271);]
11 . REFER TO PAGES 114 , YOU ALL ARE WELCOME TO STAY, BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING . I HOPE YOU ACHIEVED WHAT YOU NEED IT.RIGHT?. >> HAVE A NICE EVENING. 114 THROUGH 148, IN YOUR PACKET, RELATED TO BEAR BRANCH SPORTS FIELD RESTROOM AREA , RENOVATION. ALSO PLAYGROUND PROJECTS . HERE'S MR. MCGOWAN
. >> LIKE YOU SAID I'M HERE TO TALK OF THE BEAR BRANCH SPORTS FEEL RENOVATION RESTROOM RENOVATION AND PLAYGROUND EDITION. JUST A LITTLE BIT THERE TO TALK ABOUT WHERE THIS CAME FROM, TALK ABOUT THE SPORTS FEEL ITSELF THEN WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR FOR RECOMMENDATIONS. THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT, AS YOU ALL KNOW THE GOAL WAS TO OBVIOUSLY LOOK AT THE NEEDS TO SEE IF THERE WERE DEFICIENCIES, 2000 WEB SURVEYS FROM THE COMMUNITY , REACHED OUT TO THE USER GROUPS, TALK TO THE BOARD HERE TWO TIMES. VISITED WITH THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS. YOU COULD SEE THE PROJECT THAT WERE THERE, RESTAURANTS, THIS IS ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WAS EARMARKED , TENNIS, PICKLE BALL, TWO ADDITIONAL, WEATHER TURF, ADDITIONAL THAT. BEAR BRANCH SPORTS FEEL, ONE OF THE MOST USED FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE A CONFERENCE CROSSING, BUILT IN 1893, RENOVATIONS, 2008, WOMEN'S RESTROOM AND CONCESSION STAND WAS ADDED IN 2012, WAS WHEN ARTIFICIAL TURF WAS PUT IN.
ACTUALLY I DID NOT PUT IT HERE, BUT LAST YEAR THEY HAD THE L.E.D. LIGHTS THAT WERE RETROFITTED LAST YEAR SO THAT IS COMPLETELY DONE AND THE BOARD ALSO APPROVED THAT THIS JULY OR ACTUALLY I'M SORRY JUNE WE WILL BE REPLACING FOUR OF THE ARTIFICIAL TURF FEELS THERE, THEY HAVE REACHED THE KIND OF LIFE, NORMALLY TENURES, BUT WE GOT 12 YEARS OUT OF THEM DUE TO MAINTENANCE AND SUCH. YOU CAN SEE THE AMENITIES THERE, SEVEN LIT FEELS, COMMUNITY GARDENS, RESTROOMS, CONCESSIONS SENSE, 18-HOLE DISC GOLF COURSE, PARKING LOTS, LOT OF THINGS, A LOT OF PEOPLE GO THROUGH THE PARK. REMINDER, LAST MONTH, THE BOARD APPROVED THE BUILDING, WHICH INCLUDES THE MEN'S RESTING, TWO FAMILY FACILITIES THEN STORAGE . FOR TONIGHT HERE, REVIEW , LIKE CHRIS MENTIONED, WITH THE HALFF ASSOCIATES, THIS IS A TASK ORDER FOR THEM. YOU CAN SEE THEY HAVE DONE A SMALLER TASK ORDER WITH PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON THAT. I KNOW IT IS KIND OF HARD TO SEE, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE DASHED LINE IS ACTUALLY A SEWER LINE GOING UNDERNEATH THE PARK THERE SO WORKING WITH THE OTHER IS CRA, FIGURING OUT WHERE ALL THE UTILITIES THAT COME WITH THE PROBABLE COST. THIS WILL BE THE TASK ORDER FOR HALFF AND ASSOCIATES TO DO ACTUAL ONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS , MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT. HERE IS THE PLAYGROUND THAT WE LOOKED AT, WORKING THROUGH THE BY BOARD, LYNN STAR RECREATION, THE PLAYGROUND WAS SWING SETS, AMENITIES FOR ALL AGES THERE. BUDGET, AGAIN WE EARMARKED $1.5 MILLION FOR THIS WITH THE RESTROOM AND THE 300,000 FOR THE PLAYGROUND. INCLUDED WITH THAT FOR THE $1.5 MILLION SO YOU CAN SEE THE ORIGINAL TASK ORDER, SORRY, THAT IS HOW MUCH WE SPENT SO FAR. THE BUILDING , THERE IS THAT. SO WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IS FOR THE NEXT TASK ORDER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
[02:00:04]
DOCUMENTS 108,805, NEW PLAYGROUND IS 108, OF THE 300,000 THEIR, 295 962, THERE IS A TOTAL SO THAT LEAVES US 412,000 ALL THE, 440 THOUSAND TO REMAIN, THAT WOULD BE BROUGHT BACK OF THE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS ARE MADE, WE CAN BID THIS OUT OR DROUGHT TO CONTRACTORS WHAT WECAN DO, ASK FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU, JIM , ALL DONE.
OFFER MOTION 2ND TO APPROVE TASK ORDER 8A FROM HALFF ASSOCIATES WERE ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE BEAR BRANCH SPORTS FIELD RESTROOM AREA RENOVATION PROJECT AND THE PROPOSAL FROM LONE STAR RECREATION FOR THE BEAR BRANCH SPORTS FEEL PLAYGROUND. AUTHORIZE AND CEO TO EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION AS PROVED TO FINAL FORM BY
TOWNSHIP LEGAL COUNCIL . >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> IT IS BEEN MOVED AND
[12. Receive, consider and act upon an amendment to the agreement with First Class Transportation, Inc., for Commuter Bus Services (C-2015-5229A10);]
SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.>> AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HARD WORK ON THAT . THAT BRINGS US BACK TO RUTHANNE. YOU'RE BUSY TONIGHT. TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A. TO THE AGREEMENT WITH FIRST CLASS TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR COMMUTER BUS SERVICES. TONIGHT THAT WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE POST EXTENSION .
>> FOR COMMUTER BUS SYSTEM. >> SURE . GOOD EVENING, AGAIN.
SINCE 2015, FIRST-CLASS ASPORTATION, OUR CONTRACT OPERATED OF THE WOODLANDS EXPRESS HAS PROVIDED QUALITY SERVICE FOR OUR PARTNER AND PROGRAM. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT RENEWS THIS CONTRACT FOR A SUBSEQUENT ONE-YEAR TERM THE FINAL LAST OF THIS CONTRACT AND INCLUDES PROVISION FOR UNLIMITED WI-FI SERVICES ON OUR BUSES WHICH AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER IS ONE OF THE TOP REQUESTS WE RECEIVED THROUGH THE TRANSIT STUDY PUBLIC PERIOD. INDEPENDENT COST ESTIMATE WAS PERFORMED BY THE GOODMAN CORPORATION AND FOUND THAT THIS PRICING WAS ACCEPTABLE WITHIN MARKET VALUE SO WE RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD APPROVED THE EXTENSION OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE PUBLIC WI-FI PRICING .
>> THANK YOU. I CALL FOR MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONTRACTUAL EXTENSION WITH FIRST CLASS TRANSPORATION 41 SUBSEQUENT TERM THROUGH APRIL 20, 2025, LOW VOLUME ] PRICING PROPOSAL AS OUTLINED AND AUTHORIZE THE PRICING CEO TO EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY AGREEMENTS IS APPROVED TO FINAL FORM BY TOWNSHIP LEGAL COUNCIL. ALSO AUTHORIZED TO HAVE TO ISSUE A SIX HE DATE TERMINATION NOTICE TO TRANCELIKE REGARDING THE PUBLIC WI-FI .
>> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE .
[14. 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? MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU, RUTHANNE, VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE THAT. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 14, THERE IS A NEED TO ME TO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING. I 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 DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO 55 1. ZERO EIGHTS AND THEN GOVERNMENT CODE, DISCUSS PRISM HAS PURSUANT TO 551074, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, DISCUSS I.T. NETWORK OR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY PURSUANT TO 551 089 ACCESS GOVERNMENT CODE AND TO CONSULT WITH THE THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY PURSUANT TO 551071 TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THE BOARD WILL RECONVENE IN PUBLIC
[15. Reconvene in public session;]
[16. Consideration of items to be placed on the agenda for next month's meeting;]
NECESSARY TO TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME. AGENDA ITEM 16, CONSIDERATION FOR ITEMS FOR NEXT MONTH.>> AGENDA ITEMS? >> YES, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A REPORT TO GET MY ARMS AROUND MAINTENANCE OF AMENITIES OUR PROPERTY OF STRUCTURES THAT THE TOWNSHIP OWNS AND HOW WE ARE TACKLING THAT WHEN WE AND PARKS FOR ADD PROJECTS . HOW ARE WE EQUATING THE MAINTENANCE PARTNERS -- PORTION OF THIS FOR UPKEEP ? CERTAIN AREAS OF THE TOWNSHIP WE ARE . OUR AGE LITTLE BIT TO MAKE SURE WE IMPLEMENT A FIRM MAINTENANCE PLAN SO I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A REPORT ON THAT, HOW WE POSTED .
[02:05:01]
>> I DO NOT KNOW THAT THAT IS SOMETHING TO PUT ON, BUT SOMETHING FOR CONSIDERATION I SHOULD SAY, AGENDA LANGUAGE.
SIMILAR TO WHAT BRAD SAID I HAD A DEVELOPER FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN IN DEVELOPMENT IN THE WOODLANDS FOR DECADES, REACH OUT TO ME RECENTLY ABOUT IS CRA A BOUND VOLUME ] CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER AREAS IN THE WOODLANDS, THIS STUFF IS GOING TO START HAVING PROBLEMS AT SOME POINT.
OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS ] >> THE STRUCTURE?
>> YEAH, I AM CURIOUS AS TO HOW ARE THE MUDS AND/OR SJR A WORKING TOGETHER TO ASSESS DATED LINES AND PIPE AND THINGS THAT WE TRY TO AVOID A PROBLEM RATHER THAN WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE A REAL PROBLEM PEOPLE ARE WITHOUT WATER, BOILING WATER, YOU KNOW, ALL THE STUFF, IF YOU START TO THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE AREAS OF THE AREA, THE WOODLANDS, HOLD IT IS, MAY BE A PROBLEM ALREADY . MAYBE SOME THINGS TO PUT IN PLACE, BUT NOT SAINT TO DO ANYTHING, BUT I'M HAVING DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING, WE HEARD ABOUT THE GENTLEMAN THAT SPOKE TONIGHT ABOUT SJRA, WHAT THEY ARE DOING, WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT, THE MEN'S OR ESTATE ARE A FOR CERTAIN THINGS. AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, DOES NOT HAVE TO BE NOW, BUT I WOULD
LIKE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND IT. >> I WOULD SECOND THAT IN THE FUTURE, BECAUSE I THINK WE ARE ALL BEING PUSHED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE, THEY SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE HERE HE IS DINNER, HARRIS COUNTY, THINGS ARE PICKING, BECAME MAJOR ISSUES. OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS 50 YEARS ALSO I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A STRATEGY EVEN IF WE DO NOT OVERSEE IT, WHAT IS THE STRATEGY WITH THE OTHER PARTNERSHIPS ?
>> I WILL SECOND THAT. >> OKAY. THAT BRINGS US TO
[17. Board announcements; and]
BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS. ANY BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS?>> I MADE IT EARLIER, BUT I WILL MAKE IT AGAIN SINCE THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME. I WAS RECENTLY NOTIFIED THAT I WAS ELECTED TO SERVE ON THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL . I WILL BE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL CATEGORY. THAT WILL BE ALONGSIDE RUTHANNE HAUNT , WHO IS IN THE TRANSIT CATEGORY, HER ALTERNATE IS TODD STEPHENS. I THINK MY ALTERNATE IS SUE LEES FROM TECH STOCK. HONOR TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON THE TSA.
>> THEY ANNOUNCED IT TWO MEETINGS AGO SO CONGRATULATIONS
>> ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? >> I MOVED TO ADJOURN.
>> IT IS
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.