[14. Receive, consider and act upon the holiday light program along The Woodlands Waterway (C-2024-0080) and an artificial Christmas tree purchase for Waterway Square (BuyBoard 735-24);]

FINANCIAL REPORT? >> SO MOVED.

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

BY SAYING, AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. ACTION ITEM 14, 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE HOLIDAY LIGHT PROGRAM ALONG THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY, AN ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE PURCHASE FOR WATERWAY SQUARE. CHIEF BUCK WOULD HAVE ALREADY HAD THESE THINGS BUT LAST MONTH IF HE WAS

HERE. >> WE THINK ABOUT OUR THINGS A

LITTLE BIT MORE. >> THERE YOU GO.

>> WATERWAY WOODLANDS IS THE NAME OF THE HOLIDAY LIGHT PROGRAM WE CAME UP WITH, ACTUALLY PROBABLY MIDWAY THROUGH THE SEASON LAST YEAR. BASICALLY, A LITTLE BACKGROUND INFORMATION, THE BOARD, IN THEIR 2023 BUDGET HEARINGS FROM 2024, ALLOCATED $200,000 IN 2024 , PLACED $220,000 IN THEIR 5-YOUR PLAN FOR 2025 THROUGH 2028 YEARS , BASICALLY FOR THE LEASE OF A SERIES OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS, AND WE CONTRACTED WITH ] PRODUCTIONS. I THINK WE PRESENTED THAT IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR. THEN, WE WENT LIVE IN NOVEMBER. WHAT WE DO SEE HERE ,

[02:05:05]

YOU KNOW, WE ARE THINKING ABOUT NEXT PHASES, CHAIR BAILEY AND OTHERS, CHALLENGING WHAT IS NEXT FOR THIS .WE'LL SHOW YOU SOME DATA, TOO, TO SUPPORT THE USE WE HAVE SEEN ALONG THE WATERWAY, BUT WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE IS DAYS TWO STRUCTURES. IF YOU SO CHOOSE, WE PUT BROKE IT UP TO, I BELIEVE, SIX DIFFERENT AREAS RANGING IN PRICE FROM $40,000 TO $53,000, AND THERE WILL BE SOME ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL , WILL BE CALLED, BASICALLY, THE ROUNDING VARIOUS OTHER ADDITIONAL TREES THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY DO WITHIN OUR EXISTING DOLLARS ALREADY.

SO, WE ARE PLEASED WITH THAT. BUT FOR THE LARGER STRUCTURES, WE DO NOT HAVE DOLLARS AT THIS POINT. SO, THIS WILL REMIND YOU OF THE OVERALL GOALS OF THIS EVENT IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO KIND OF FIGURE OUT WHY ARE WE DOING THIS. BUT WE WANTED TO DO, THROUGH A LOT OF THOUGHT IN THE PROCESS, WITH THE DEVELOP A 60-DAY EVENT, 60 OR 90 MINUTES . THAT TIME PERIOD ALLOWS PEOPLE TO WANT TO COME TO THE WOODLANDS FOR AN EXPERIENCE, BECAUSE IF IT IS TOO SHORT, PEOPLE WON'T COME. WE HAVE TO FIND THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME. HOPEFULLY, WHEN THEY'RE HERE FOR 60 OR 90 MINUTES, THEY'RE STOPPING AND HAVING DINNER, POTENTIALLY SHOPPING AT THE MALL , OR MAYBE EVEN STAYING OVER AND MAKING IT A WEEKEND FROM THAT STANDPOINT. WANTED TO CREATE THESE AREAS AND ALSO WANTED TO ASK THE COMMUNITY -- DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS -- I THINK WE DID A LOT OF GREAT THINGS THIS FIRST YEAR.THE 2024 IMPACTS -- DECEMBER 2024 ALONE, WE PLACED TWO DISCOUNTERS ON THE WATERWAY . BASICALLY, BETWEEN THE MARINE, AS WELL AS WATERWAY SQUARE AND 120,000 BUSINESS NOW. SOME OF THOSE MIGHT BE THE SAME PEOPLE, BECAUSE OF THE LOOP. SOME OF THOSE MIGHT BE RUNNERS.

YOU CAN SEE, IN AN AVERAGE MONTH IN JANUARY, WHICH IS HONESTLY A LITTLE BIT LOWER MONTH, IS 28,000. SOMETHIG WAS PUSHING NUMBERS THERE. OKAY? A GOOD SOURCE OF THAT IS THE FACT THAT THIS HOLIDAY LIGHT PROGRAM . THE OTHER REALLY INTERESTING ASPECT IS PROBABLY USED. WE SAW, 2025-2023, 25,000 USERS WITH 30,000 -- EXCUSE ME, 30% USE WILL WE SAW, THE TROLLEY BEING USED FOR, A LOT OF YOUNG, YOUNG KIDS OR OLDER RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WALK, SO, GREAT TO EVEN HAVE ACCESS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS, AND REALLY LEVERAGE THESE SORT OF RESOURCES, TOWNSHIP RESOURCES, FOR THIS.I'M NOT A SOCIAL MEDIA GURU . LUCKILY, LEANNE IS. I SENT HER THESE GOOD NUMBERS. SHE SAYS, THESE ARE PHENOMENAL NUMBERS . WHAT WE ARE SEEING, IN TERMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA FROM THEM, AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE PICKED UP ON , YOU KNOW, POSTING THINGS ABOUT US. WASN'T JUST HARD DRIVE, IN TERMS OF OUR POSTING, OTHERS PRICING AND HELLO WOODLANDS, THOSE TYPE OF ENTITIES AS WELL . SO, WE SAW A LOT OF GOOD IMPACT FOR OUR

PROGRAM. >> THE WOODLANDS' NUMBERS

INPUT? >> I WOULD HAVE TO ASK -- NO.

THESE ARE JUST NUMBERS. BUT THANK YOU. WE WILL UPDATE THOSE

FOR YOU. >> I KNOW THEY HAD A VIDEO.

>> YES. IT WAS A GREAT VIDEO. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE FOR 2024 -- EXCUSE ME, 2025 -- IS REALLY LOOKING AT, QUARTER QUOTE, HOW TO COMPLETE THE CIRCLE. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, WE WALKED THAT AREA, THERE IS CONSTRUCTION BEING DONE IMPACTING A FAIR AMOUNT OF AREA , AND THE QUIET POND WAS A, CORTICAL, DEAD ZONE. NO LIGHTS. WE WEREN'T ABLE TO FINISH THAT LOOP AND REALLY MAKE IT NICE, FULL EXPERIENCE THERE.SO, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS WHAT IS 30-FOOT ARCHES, AND THE MUSIC WAS VERY, VERY LOW, BUT YOU HEARD IT, AND THAT WAS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE. SO, LIGHTING UP BALLS. ALSO LOOKING IN THAT AREA TO ADD ADDITIONAL LIGHTED TREATS, MEANING, THE TREES WERE ABSENT WITH LIGHTS, WHICH IS NOT PART OF THIS CONTRACT , PART OF THE CONTRACT WE WOULD DO THROUGH OPERATIONAL DOLLARS. THE OTHER THING, TOO, WE LOOKED AT VERY, VERY HARD FOR THIS INFORMATION IS, REALLY ACTIVATING REWARD PARK .WE FEEL THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM THE GREEN LIGHT, THE ORANGE LOT , AND THIS BECOMES LIKE AN ENTRY POINT FOR IT. THE OTHER THING IT DOES, TOO, IT REALLY TRIES TO GRAB PEOPLE OFF OF THE TROLLEY WAYS FOR THE PHOTOS THAT WE ARE HAVING, BECAUSE WE ARE ALSO MANAGING SAFETY WITH THE TROLLEY GOING ON AND HOW WE DEAL WITH LINE MANAGEMENT. SO, BETWEEN THE QUIET POND AND THIS, QUARTER QUOTE, FINISH THE LOOP OF TAMBOURINE TO WATERWAY SQUARE.

FURTHERMORE, IF WE WANT TO LOOK AT THIS AREA, GOING TO THE EAST

[02:10:02]

OF TAMBOURINE PARK, THIS IS -- MOST OF IT IS ON WHAT WOULD BE THE NORTH SIDE .WE SEE SNOW, WE SEE ARCHES, WE SEE SNOWFLAKES, WE SEE DEAR. WE SEE WALK THROUGH ORNAMENTS. AGAIN, INSTAGRAM -WERE THE TYPE OF PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN TAKE THEIR PICTURE , AND WE MOVE FURTHER OVER TOWARDS THE EASTERN SIDE, CLOSER TO THE ARCHWAYS WITH MORE TYPE OF STUFF WHERE WE BASICALLY CREATE TWO LOOPS AROUND THERE, AND WE HAVE SOME LIGHTS WE ARE RUNNING ON THE BOARDWALK AREA WALKWAY THAT WOULD ACCEPT THAT. SO, THE OTHER THING, TOO, WE LOOKED AT -- THAT IS KIND OF A PACKAGE, BUT THE KIND OF FOR DISCUSSION WHEN WE GET TO THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION, BUT WE ARE ALSO THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE LONG-TERM PLAY, WHAT ELSE CAN WE ADD THIS TO, BECAUSE THIS IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT IS SIGHT, SOUND, AND EVEN SMELL . WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A SECOND, BUT CAROLING ON THE SQUARE WAS A PROGRAM TRIED IN 2007-2008, SOME TIME IN THERE. DIDN'T WORK BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT MUCH ACTIVITY DOWN AT WOODLANDS SQUARE. NOW, WITH 100 PLUS THOUSAND VISITS OVER THE COURSE OF 60 DAYS, YOU ARE DRAWING PEOPLE THERE. THIS PROGRAM MAY MAKE SENSE TO REINCARNATE AT A TOTAL OF 11,042 -- $420 -- NO DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET FOR THIS WHICH IS WHY WE -- CONCESSIONS, GREAT TURNOUT IN CONCESSIONS. HAD TO -- AFTER THE FIRST DAY -- THEY ASKED FOR A SECOND DAY FOR A WEEK. WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE MORE PEOPLE THERE TO THEN ALLOW CONCESSIONS TO BE SUCCESSFUL , AND WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT FRESH DONUTS, FRESH COFFEE SMELL, FRESH CIDER SMELL, WE ARE GOING WITH THAT. THAT WILL ALL ADD TO THE EXPERIENCE WE ARE TRYING TO DRIVE DOWN TO PEOPLE. LEANNE , VISIT THE WOODLANDS DID A GREAT JOB WITH MARKETING. WE WERE A LITTLE BIT DELAYED IN THE MARKETING ON PURPOSE, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF TRACTION WE HAD. WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT JUST GETTING THE LIGHTS UP, GETTING ZOOMED IN VS. OVER-PROMISING AND UNDER-DELIVERING. WANTED TO AFFIRM THE PROMISE , AND WORK FROM THERE. REALLY, DOUBLE-DOWN ON SOME OF THE WORKING EFFORTS THE LONG, LONG TERM PLAY IS A SOMETHING THAT I KEPT SEEING IN PHILADELPHIA WITH THE EUROPEAN BILAS MARKETS, IS HOW DO WE CREATE KIOSKS ALONG THE WATERWAY IN THIS AREA FROM WATERWAY SQUARE THE TAMBOURINE, MAYBE EVEN FURTHER DOWN, THAT THEY ARE SELLING CRAFTS, SEWING ORNAMENTS , BUT WE NEED TO DRAW NUMBERS OF A GREATER ONE THAT WE HAVE TO REALLY SAY, THIS IS LEGITIMATE, BECAUSE WE WANT TO TRY TO HAVE PEOPLE OUT THERE FOR THE 60-DAY PERIOD. THAT IS REALLY LONG-TERM , DOWN THE ROAD, BUT THIS MIGHT BE SOMEPLACE WHERE WE WILL GO FOR THE FUTURE IF YOU SO DECIDE. WE TALKED ABOUT BUILDING BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL PLANS, REALLY UNDERSTAND THE COST AND BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THAT. A KEY COMPONENT OF THE SARAC CONTRACT IS THE 10% OF THE DECORATIONS CAN CHANGE OUT EVERY SINGLE YEAR, AND A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I KNOW CHAIRMAN BAILEY STARTED SENDING ME PICTURES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY , WAS REALLY KIND OF SURPRISING ASPECT, SO, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE TWTXLIGHT, AND ONE OF THE OTHER STRUCTURES AT THE WOODLANDS LOGO -- WE GET THEM REALLY DEFINED BECAUSE IT WAS A LITTLE BIT SKEWED -- BUT YOU SEE OTHER CHRISTMAS TREES, YOU SEE THE RED NOSE RUDOLPH THERE, IN THE UPPER-RIGHT-HAND CORNER, AND THEN MORE INTEREST WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE TUNNEL, PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH AND LOTS OF PICTURES ARE TAKEN. THIS IS ACTUALLY PART OF THE BASE PACKAGE FOR THE 2025 , EARLY 2026 YEAR . NOW, NOT TO SAY THE LEAST, THIS IS PAKISTAN HERE BECAUSE WE LOOKED AT A NEW TREAT FOR WATERWAY SQUARE. INITIALLY, 2007, THE TREE WAS BOUGHT FROM THE MALL . SO, THIS HAS BEEN GONE FOR 15 OR 17 YEARS NOW OUTSIDE. SO, BASICALLY, IT HAS BEEN VERY, VERY WEATHERED, GETTING VERY DIFFICULT TO INSTALL THESE DAYS. THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND ALLOCATED ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. WE RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF THIS TREE, THE LIGHT THROUGH A COST OF 137 -- LOVE THAT -- 137,000 DOLLARS. A LITTLE BIT OVER. WE HAD ADDITIONAL PLAY IN OUR CAPITAL FUNDING WE COULD KINDA MAKE THIS WORK, BUT WE SEE A VERY INTERACTIVE TREE WE ARE PROPOSING WITH MUSIC, AS WELL AS LIGHTS THAT CAN MOVE, AND ALSO COMPLEMENT WHAT IS GOING ON ALONG THE WATERWAY AND IN THE

[02:15:01]

WATERWAY SQUARE AS WELL. SO, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING FOR YOU RIGHT NOW. NOW, FOR YOU, THE BOARD, AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, THE BOARD NEEDS TO DETERMINE AN ACTION ON WHAT, IF ANY, ENHANCEMENTS YOU WANT FOR THE WATERWAY WONDERLAND JOE GRAHAM , BUT , AT A MINIMUM, APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FOR THE TREE AND WATERWAY SQUARE. THIS IS BEING BROUGHT TO YOU THIS MONTH BECAUSE WE NEED THIS MUCH ADVANCED NOTICE TO GET THE LIGHTS ORDERED, MANUFACTURED , AND THEN, EVENTUALLY, TOWARDS NOVEMBER -- EXCUSE ME, LATE OCTOBER, EARLY NOVEMBER, START GETTING SET UP, BECAUSE WE ARE POTENTIALLY INCREASING MORE,

MORE, AND MORE . >> I CAN SAY , YEAR ONE , YOU AND THE ENTIRE PARKS TEAM DID A FANTASTIC JOB. I MEAN, I WAS BLOWN AWAY HOW QUICK , YEAR ONE, YOU WERE ABLE TO MOBILIZE AND GET IT DONE. I THINK THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED, VERY LIMITED, YOU KNOW, MARKETING, AND THAT IS NOT BLAMING ANYONE. BUT I THINK WE CAN DEFINITELY BUILD BEHIND MARKETING AND GET MORE, BUT IT WAS INCREDIBLY DONE. THE CHRISTMAS TREE -- I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU -- CHRISTMAS TREE IS A WAS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY TREE.

CAN WE GO LIVE? >> LOOKING AT A TREE THAT WILL

LAST ABOUT 20 YEARS. >> CAN I BUY A REAL TREAT ? I COULD STAY THERE ALL THE TIME, WE CAN WRAP UP WITH SOME LIGHTS? I DON'T KNOW. THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

>> I WOULD SAY, WE HAVE DIFFICULTY KEEPING LIVE TREES IN THAT WATERWAY SQUARE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE LAST 20 YEARS, REPLACING MANY OF THOSE TREES , IT IS A WIND ZONE AND ALSO A HEAT ZONE AS WELL. THAT IS WITH EXTRA FERTILIZATION, EXTRA EVERYTHING , OF TREE EXPERTS COMING IN. SO, THE COST OF THAT, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT IS GOING TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM HAVING THAT LARGE OF A TREE, THEN YOU HAVE GOT A BUNCH OF HARDWOODS, THE PINE TYPE OF TREE. THAT IS WHERE I

WOULD BE CAUTIOUS. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS,

COMMENTS? >> I DO. ANY DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN -- THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR, Y'ALL DID A PHENOMENAL JOB. DID YOU TRACK RESIDENTS VS. VISITORS? WAS THERE ANY WAY TO

DIFFERENTIATE WHO CAN? >> WE DID LOOK AT SOME OF THIS DATA, BUT THIS IS THE WOODLANDS DATA ISOLATED SPECIFICALLY TO THE WATERWAY. OKAY? IT WAS THE WATERWAY, WHICH WAS, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY, WHAT I UNDERSTOOD FROM TALKING TO MAC AND HIS TEAM, THEY VOLUNTEERED THE DATA, WHICH WAS AWESOME. IT WAS A LOT MORE OF A LARGE AREA. I DIDN'T GET TO SEE SPECIFICALLY ON THE WATERWAY, BUT THEN, WE COULD REALLY GET THROUGH THIS DATA TO SAY, X PERCENT CAME FROM THE WOODLANDS, X PERCENT CAME FROM 10, 15, 20 MILES, SO, THAT IS SOMETHING OF PARAMOUNT DISCUSSIONS, GLOBALLY, ABOUT VARIOUS PLACER A.I., CITY A.I.

TYPE OF PACKAGES THAT WE CAN GET A LITTLE BIT MORE CUSTOMIZED DATA WE NEED FROM PARKS AND RECREATION, TRANSPORTATION STANDPOINT, APPLICATION STANDPOINT, AS WELL . WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A MEETING TODAY. COULDN'T HAVE TIME TO

GET IT ALL DONE TODAY . >> I JUST THINK THAT WOULD BE

VERY, VERY WORTHWHILE TO KNOW. >> WE ARE SEEKING THAT

INFORMATION. >> FOR SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND

THAT IS IN THE >> ALSO, I KNOW I HAVE EXPRESSED AN IDEA TO THE PAVILION ABOUT HAVING CHRISTMAS WEEKEND CONCERT , LIKE, A MAJOR ACT COME DOWN DURING THE CHRISTMAS TIME . THEY ARE SERIOUSLY LOOKING INTO THAT , PUTTING SOME RESOURCES BEHIND IT , AND THAT WOULD EVEN BOOSTED EVEN MORE. ABLE TO TO ADVERTISE THAT WITH TICKETS, I THINK, TO DRIVE A LOT OF TOURISM, IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, WHICH IS UP 17% IN 2 YEARS. OVER 10.3 MILLION IN HOTEL INTEREST TAXES, WHICH IS INCREDIBLE. SO, I THINK WE CAN

EVEN GROW THIS EVEN MORE . >> OF COURSE, I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF CLOSING THE LOOP IF YOU ARE WORKING WITH THE FAMILY. IT IS REALLY NICE TO CONTINUE, INSTEAD OF TURNING AROUND WITH THEM, THEN, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE LOTS OFF OF THE ROAD. YES, I LOVE THAT IDEA, THE FIRST INITIAL, FIRST IMPRESSION WHEN YOU ARE WALKING IN , IT KIND OF GRABS YOU OFF THE BAT. SO, BOTH OF YOUR INITIATIVES, I THINK, ARE GREAT IDEAS.

>> YEAH. THE ZONE ONE, TWO, THREE, TOTALLY $92,000. NUMBER , THAT IS A FIVE-YEAR EXPENSE. AND, ADDITIONALLY, 10% OF THAT NEW ZONE ONE, TWO, THREE, CHANGING EVERY YEAR. MORE FOR

THE CONTRACT. >> VERY NICE.

>> QUESTIONS? GO AHEAD, SIR. >> YOU SAID, FIVE-YEAR COST , MEANING, THAT IS GOING TO BE SPREAD OUT OVER FIVE YEARS?

>> 20,000 PER YEAR , 5 YEARS. SIMILARLY TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING

[02:20:05]

RIGHT NOW, 200 TIMES -- PER YEAR, FIVE DID YEARS.

>> GOT YOU. >> THAT IS THE BASE, CALL AT THE

BASE RIGHT NOW. >> OKAY. SO, ARE WE CONSIDERING THAT TONIGHT ALONG WITH THE TREE?

>> I AM ASKING YOU -- THE ZONE ONE THROUGH SIX IS REALLY UP TO YOU. THERE ARE NO DOLLARS THAT ARE EARMARKED FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE LOOP TO THE WONDERLAND AREA . IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A BUDGET AMENDMENT, THAT IS UP TO YOU AS A BOARD OF DIRECTORS. I AM ASKING YOU TO APPROVE THE TREE SO WE CAN GET WATERED AND READY

. >> IF I CAN SPEAK TO THE FINANCIAL PART OF IT , AS CHRIS MENTIONED, THE TREE ITSELF FOR WATERWAY SQUARE , THE FUNDS ARE ALREADY THERE. THEY'RE IN THE CAPITAL RESERVE. THAT IS NOT COMING -- REQUIRING A BUDGET AMENDMENT -- IN TERMS OF THE ONGOING LEASE , ZONES ONE THROUGH HOWEVER MANY THE BOARD CHOOSES, MY RECOMMENDATION IS DOES GET FUNDED FROM HOTEL TAX REVENUES , IN TERMS OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND RIGHT NOW, BASED ON CURRENT COLLECTIONS , AND EVEN ON A VERY CONSERVATIVE BASIS, WE ARE GENERATING ABOUT 3.2 MILLION IN EXCESS HOTEL TAX THAT IS CURRENTLY THERE TO FUND ECONOMIC DIV ELEMENT -TYPE INITIATIVES, WHICH IS WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER THIS .SO, NO PROPERTY TAX, NO SALES TAX, BEING FUNDED FOR HOTEL TAX.

>> DOCTOR? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, AS WELL, DR. NUNEZ. BRILLIANT, AS ALWAYS , AND I WANT TO SAY THAT , SINCE WE ARE EXPANDING OUR CHRISTMAS ATTRACTIONS, I THINK IT BEHOOVES US TO LOOK AT WHAT IS CHRISTMAS, AND HOW WE DO AND CELEBRATE IT IN THE COMMUNITY. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, NOT ONLY SHOULD WE HAVE THE LIGHTING OF THE MENORAH, WHICH WE HAVE IN MARKET STREET, BUT ALSO, WE SHOULD HAVE A MANGER SOMEWHERE ALONG OUR TRAIL THAT ACTUALLY SHOWS PEOPLE WHAT THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS ABOUT I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU WILL DO THAT, BUT I THINK THAT YOU CAN COME OUT WITH A VERY TASTEFUL WAY TO ADD A MANGER SCENE. SO, THERE IS ACTUALLY EXPLANATION OF WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT THEN.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> I THINK, ON THIS , I THINK THERE IS SOME SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, TOO, BASED ON OTHER BUSINESSES. I THINK, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTANDING, YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE PLAN FOR, BUY EVERYTHING, DO ALL THAT, BUT I REALLY THINK THERE IS SOME REAL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

CENTER POINT DOES THIS AND NOT -- A LOT -- ZOO LIGHTS AND ALL ACROSS THE AREA -- HAVE HAD A LOT OF INCREDIBLE PHILANTHROPIC AS MRS. IN OUR AMENITY, HEADQUARTERED HERE IN TEXAS IT MIGHT BE ABLE TO APPROACH SOME OF THEM WITH SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, HAVE THEIR NAME AND LIKENESS POTENTIALLY SPONSORED BY TEXAS, AND , BUT , MAY FORM AN AD HOC MEETING TO TALK ABOUT THAT IN THE FUTURE. I THINK LIMITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPONSORSHIP -- BUT I REALLY THINK THIS IS GOING TO DRIVE A LOT OF TOURISM, A LOT OF THE PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH OUR REALLY, REALLY IMPRESSED WITH IT. THAT IS CRITICAL TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM, CHRIS, AND I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO LIMIT THE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY.

>> I THINK THAT IS A GREAT IDEA. WHAT ACTION?

>> I HAVE GOT THE MOTIONS RIGHT HERE .

>> OKAY. >> FIRST UP IS THE CHRISTMAS TREE. CORRECT? MOTION NUMBER ONE, FILE FOR EMOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL IN THE AMOUNT OF WHAT IS 37, 0, 0 FOR A NEW ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE. THEY BETTER BE TWINKLING. THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY AND SQUARE. CALL FOR EMOTION.

>> I MOVE. >> MOVED BY DR. SEKULA-GIBBS, SECONDED BY DR. EISSLER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY

SAYING, AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> ALL THE SUPPORT? MERRY CHRISTMAS. MOTION NUMBER TWO? DID YOU HAVE IT UP HERE?

>> NO FORMAL MOTION. THE BOARD NEEDS A DECISION ON DO YOU WANT ONE, TWO, THREE, DO YOU WANT THE WHOLE PACKAGE, DO YOU WANT FOUR, NOTHING ELSE? IT IS UP TO THE BOARD'S PLEASURE.

>> I WOULD LIKE AS WELL, THE PACKAGE.

>> I WILL TELL ENERGY TO FIRE UP ANOTHER ONE.

>> I LOVE THE VISION. YOU KNOW, HOW YOU DESCRIBED IT, DRIVING , YOU KNOW, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT, DRIVING MORE PEOPLE HERE, AND THE NUMBERS WITH, YOU KNOW, MINIMAL MARKETING . CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH MORE TIME.

[02:25:01]

>> THANK YOU. >> COURSE, REGARDING MY COMMENT, HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO ADD A LITTLE LIGHT FOR A SCENE OF THE

MAJOR? >> I DON'T HAVE THAT PRICE. I NEED TO VIEW THAT , INDEED, I THINK I WOULD NEED MORE LEGAL REVIEWS ON SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

>> WE CERTAINLY KNOW THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE IT.

>> EXACTLY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT.

>> RIGHT. DOES THE BOARD HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT? IT IS A HOLE IN OUR EXHIBIT. IT HAS BEEN THERE A WHILE.

>> YEAH. HE WILL LOOK INTO IT. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A PRICE RIGHT NOW. SO, WE DON'T NEED TO MAKE A MOTION ON THIS?

>> YOU NEED TO MAKE A MOTION, IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING. I NEED DIRECTION. IS IT GOING TO BE ZONE ONE, TWO, THREE, ALL OF THEM? THANK YOU SAID, ALL OF THEM .

>> ZONE ONE, TWO, THREE? >> THAT IS 92,000 PER YEAR FOR A PERIOD OF 5 YEARS. THE ENTIRE PACKAGE I HAVE, 1700 .

>> MY THOUGHT, IF THEY COME ONCE AND ARE NOT WILD, THEY MAY NOT COME BACK AGAIN. YOU KNOW, SO WE SHOULD DO AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN AFFORD SO, EVEN IF IT IS NOT ADDING EVERY YEAR, AND AS MUCH

AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN. >> I WOULD MOVE --

>> 217,000? >> YES, SIR .

>> SO MOVED. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE $217,700 FOR THE GRISWOLD CHRISTMAS WATERWAY

WONDERLAND . >> OKAY. CAN WE ADD A LITTLE PIECE IN THERE FOR THE MAJOR , WOULD YOU SAY, PER EXECUTIVE DECISION BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, THAT THEY CAN ADD THAT ? IF THERE CAN'T BE MORE, $500,000 --

>> I LOVE THE MAJOR AND CHRISTMAS, THE WHOLE TIME, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A LOT --

>> I UNDERSTAND, BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO DO IT, THEN THE MONEY

IS THERE. I DO WANT -- >> KRISTIN, LET ME ASK YOU. I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A STATEMENT. YES, I THINK I CAN GIVE YOU A MONTH TO RETURN WITH SOMETHING, AND WE CAN CROSS-VERIFY. A LOT OF THE CHALLENGES BRETT AND I ARE THINKING ABOUT -- BUT AT LEAST, WE ARE GIVING YOU A FULL PACKAGE OF INFORMATION TO MAKE A

DECISION. >> YOU ARE SAYING, YOU DON'T REALLY NEED A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT TODAY? YOU CAN COME BACK WITH IT

IN A MONTH? >> I BELIEVE WE CAN COME BACK AT

A LATER TIME. >> OKAY. I DON'T WANT TO TRAIN

TO HAVE LEFT THE STATION. >> CHRIS?

>> THAT WAS MY POINT. I DON'T WANT TO TRAIN TO BE OUT OF THE STATION THEN YOU SAY, SORRY, WE MISSED THE DEADLINE. CAN'T DO

THAT. >> WE CAN MAKE AN AMENDMENT

LATER ON TO THIS. >> YEAH.

>> THAT IS MY RECOMMENDATION. >> THE MULE WILL NOT LEAVE THE

STABLE. >> YES.

>> EASY. >> ALL RIGHT. SO, $217,700 FOR THE WATERWAY ENHANCEMENT TO THE WATERWAY WONDERLAND . DO I HAVE

A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND . >> MOVED BY RICHARD, SECONDED BY DR. HEISER. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING, AYE.

[15. Receive, consider and act upon the 2024 Summary of Accomplishments;]

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. MONIQUE? IT IS NOW TIME FOR THE 2024 YEAR IN REVIEW . PAGE 94, MONIQUE SHARP, RESIDENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE WILL PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF OUR COMPLIMENTS.

>> LET ME SEE HERE. >> EXCUSE ME --

>> THANK YOU. >> OKAY. THANKS, LORI. IT IS MY PLEASURE THIS EVENING TO PRESENT THE SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2024. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO LOOK AHEAD INTO 2025 AS WELL. IT WAS EASY TO PICK THE THEME THIS YEAR. FOR 2024, OBVIOUSLY DID NOT HAVE TO SPEND TOO MUCH TIME THINKING ABOUT THAT, IN TERMS OF OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY. SO, WE WILL BE TALKING A LOT THIS EVENING ABOUT CELEBRATING WHAT DID HAPPEN IN OUR COMMUNITY IN 2024. THESE ARE SOME OF THE TOPICS WE ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE, WHICH ARE FINANCIAL EXCELLENCE, OUR HIGHLY RATED FIRE DEPARTMENT, INVESTING IN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES, TRANSIT, COMMUNICATIONS, PARKS AND RECREATION , PROTECTING OUR

[02:30:03]

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT, IN TERMS OF THE WATERWAY. AS WE ALL KNOW, AND WE TALK ABOUT A LOT, THE A COMPLIMENTS OF OUR TOWNSHIP ARE A TESTAMENT TO THE POWER OF TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION AMONGST OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OUR RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND STAFF.

IT TAKES ALL OF US TO GATHER -- TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY AS WONDERFUL AS IT IS. HERE ARE OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS. HERE IS A LOOK AT, I WOULD SAY, OUR PRIMARY PARTNERSHIPS, CERTAINLY NOT ALL OF THEM WE WORK WITH MANY MORE THAN THIS , BUT CLEARLY, A LOT OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT, SOME OF THEM THAT HAVE BEEN HERE WITH US THIS EVENING, ARE HERE, AND FINALLY, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE IN THE BOTTOM-RIGHT CORNER, THESE ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER , BUT OUR VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS AND OBVIOUSLY, OUR RESIDENTS ARE KEY TO EVERYTHING WE DO. THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE. THIS IS OUR STAFF. OUR STAFF ALSO HELPS MAKE EVERYTHING HAPPEN. THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE AT THE SERVICE AWARDS BREAKFAST FROM THIS PAST TUESDAY WILL RECOGNIZE THIS. WE GOT THIS PICTURE TURN AROUND PRETTY QUICKLY. WE DID. OKAY. WANT TO START OFF WITH THE FINANCIAL CONDITION, BECAUSE YOU CANNOT HAVE A SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY, A THRIVING COMMUNITY, UNLESS YOU ARE IN EXCELLENT FINANCIAL CONDITION, AND THE TOWNSHIP MOST CERTAINLY IS.ONE OF THE MEASURES OF THAT IS THEY ARE DOUBLE-A PLUS BOND RATING, HIGHEST BOND RATING ACHIEVABLE IN TEXAS FOR AN UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY, AND IT DOES PLACE THE TOWNSHIP IN AN ELITE GROUP FOR OUTSTANDING FISCAL MANAGEMENT YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE CREDIT RATING AGENCY COMMENTS THAT COME THROUGH IN THEIR DETAILED REPORTS ABOUT THE TOWNSHIP, TALKING ABOUT OUR STRONG FISCAL MANAGEMENT, OUR CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING PRINCIPLES, OUR LORD AND DIVERSE TECH SPACE AND OUR LOW DEBT.

SPEAKING OF OUR LOW DEBT , HERE IS A LOOK BACK FROM WHERE WE WERE IN 2015, WHERE WE HAD 87.7 MILLION IN OUTSTANDING DEBT, AND IN 2025, WE ARE DOWN TO 20.7 MILLION . THIS IS A 67 MILLION OR 76% REDUCTION ON THE LAST 10 YEARS. THAT IS REMARKABLE. THIS BOARD AND PREVIOUS BOARDS HAVE MADE IT A PRIORITY TO PAY DOWN EXISTING DEBT OR TO REFINANCE IT SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN THE RATES WERE AT THEIR HISTORIC LOWS . HERE IS ANOTHER CHART I REALLY -- WE TRACK -- THERE IS THE TEXAS BOND REVIEW BOARD, EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT INFORMATION ON AN ANNUAL BASIS ON ALL OF THEIR DEBT INFORMATION, AND THE BOARD , THE TEXAS BOND REVIEW BOARD, PLACES US IN A SPECIFIC CATEGORY WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE SIMILAR DEMOGRAPHICS, OR SIMILAR SERVICES .THERE IS A WHOLE VARIETY OF THINGS THEY LOOK AT.

YOU CAN SEE HERE, ON THE BOTTOM, DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WE ARE WITH AND, WE ARE BY FAR, HAVE THE LOWEST TAX-SUPPORTED DEBT PER CAPITA, MEANING PER PERSON, RIGHT AROUND $102 . AGAIN, REMARKABLE. ALSO, WANT TO LOOK AT OUR SOURCES OF REVENUE. OUR SALES AND USE TAX REVENUE, YOU CAN SEE THE HISTORY HERE, FROM 2018 THROUGH WHERE WE ENDED IN 2024 . KELLAN SEAN JUST REPORTED ON SOME OF THESE. THE DIP IN '20 WAS RELATED TO COVID-19 AND THE PANDEMIC, THINGS SORT OF SLOWED DOWN, BUT YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE COME OUT OF THAT IN A BIG WAY, AND HAD A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR IN 2024, 73.7 MILLION IN SALES TAX REVENUE. SAME THING , SAME STORY WITH THE HOTEL TAX REVENUE. SO, THE DIP IN '20 FOR THE PANDEMIC, AND THEN THE VISIT THE WOODLANDS STAFF HAD DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF REALLY ACCELERATE AND THE VISIT THE WOODLANDS BOARD ACCELERATING OUT OF THAT HAD A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR OF TODAY'S.3 MILLION IN 2024. ALSO WANTED TO LOOK AT SOME OTHER NONTAX REVENUES . I THINK THIS IS INCREDIBLE. AGAIN, BACK IN THE VERY LOW INTEREST RATE TIMES, THERE IS NOTHING WE COULD DO , REALLY, TO GENERATE THAT, BUT WHAT WE DID DO IS WE POSITIONED OUR INVESTMENTS FOR SHORT-TERM SO THAT WHEN WE CAME OUT OF THIS , WE WOULD BE ABLE TO MAXIMIZE OUR EARNINGS, AND IT WAS A LOT.WE HAD THINGS IN TINY LITTLE PLACES. WAS A LOT OF ADMINISTRATION KEEPING TRACK OF 50, 60 DIFFERENT TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, BUT IT PAID OFF, AND THIS IS WHERE WE ARE, AND I GIVE KELLAN -- I DON'T KNOW IF KELLAN IS STILL HERE -- RIGHT THERE -- SHE IS THE ONE THAT MONITORS AND TRACKS ALL OF THIS FOR US. SHE HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB .

[02:35:01]

>> THAT IS AN AMAZING NUMBER. >> REALLY IS.

>> KELLAN -- >> ALSO, WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THIS MUCH, BUT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT OUR PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAM REVENUE AGAIN, 2020, WE HAD TO SHUT DOWN A LOT OF THINGS BECAUSE OF COVID, AND THEY HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB OF CLIMBING OUT OF THAT, AND OFFERING THE TYPES OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS AND AQUATIC PROGRAMS THAT OUR RESIDENTS WANT, AND YOU CAN SEE THE RESULTS OF THAT WE HAVE A DIRECTIVE FROM THE BOARD TO RECOVER 50% OF AQUATIC OPERATING EXPENSES , AND HUNDRED PERCENT OF RECREATION OPERATING EXPENSES, AND THEY DO THAT YEAR, AFTER YEAR, AFTER YEAR, SOMETIMES EXCEEDING THOSE. YEAH, THE 10.6 MILLION IS A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR US. WE JUST SAW IS THAT WE HAVE A DIVERSE PROPERTY TAX BASE, AND THAT REPRESENTS 72% OF OUR TOTAL REVENUES , AND THEN THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE, WHICH REPRESENTS 20% , WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN PASSING. NOT GOING TO SPEND A WHOLE BUNCH OF TIME ON IT, BUT THERE ARE A TON OF -- IN THE COMMUNITY -- WOULD WANT THIS, AND VERY FEW HAVE IT, SO, WE ARE FORTUNATE BECAUSE OF THE EXCELLENT POLICIES AND DECISIONS OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF MAKE YEAR AFTER YEAR. THIS ISN'T BY ACCIDENT. WE NEED TO SIMPLY ALIGN THIS WITH A LOT OF

HARD WORK. >> ALSO SHOWS REPORTS OF PUBLIC

SAFETY . >> YES.

>> WE HAVE A SAFE COMMUNITY, NUMBERS RISE. IF WE DON'T --

>> THAT IS IT THE RIGHT >> DOING IT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, WHICH DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

>> RIGHT. THAT DIVERSE TAX SPACE , AS WE JUST SAID, ALLOWS US TO NOT ONLY RELY ON PROPERTY TAX REVENUE FOR ABOUT 1/2 OF OUR BUDGET, AND THAT IS, WHICH GIVES THE BOARD THE OPPORTUNITY -- AGAIN, THROUGH SOME GOOD POLICY DECISION -- SOME TOUGH BUDGET DECISIONS -- TO BE ABLE TO LOWER THE PRETTY TAX RATE, YEAR AFTER YEAR, AND YOU CAN SEE IT HAS DECLINED ABOUT 60% FROM WHERE WE WERE WHEN THE TOWNSHIP ORIGINATED IN 2010 . WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, IF YOU APPLY THAT TAX RATE ON AN AVERAGE VALUE HOME OF ABOUT 500,000, WHAT THE ANNUAL TAX IS, 834 PER YEAR, ABOUT $69 A MONTH, $2.24 A DAY.AGAIN , VERY INCREDIBLE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE LEVEL OF SERVICES WE ENJOYED IN THE WOODLANDS. ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, LAW-ENFORCEMENT TOO, YOU GET QUESTIONS ON THE TIME OF WHAT COUNTY YOU ARE IN AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WE GET THAT TOO WITH OUR TAX JURISDICTIONS. SOME PEOPLE THINK -- WE TRY, DO OUR VERY BEST ON EDUCATING -- SOME PEOPLE THINK, WHEN THEY GET THEIR 7400 BILL, A LOT OF TIMES, WE GET THE CALLS, WHY ARE YOU CHARGING ME $7400? WE ARE NOT SO, WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND HAVE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE, EXPLAINED THAT, OUT OF THE TOTAL TAX BILL, WE REPRESENT ABOUT 11% FOR THIS CASE ON A $500,000 HOME, $834 . THIS IS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, SAME STORY .

THEY ACTUALLY HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY, A FEW MORE TAXING JURISDICTIONS THAN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, SO, IN HARRIS COUNTY, OUR RESIDENTS IN THE VILLAGE OF CREEKSIDE, THE TOTAL BILL ONLY REPRESENTED ABOUT 8% , OR THE TOWNSHIP'S PORTION OF THE TOTAL

REPRESENTS 8%. >> MONIQUE, THAT HAS REALLY CHANGED IN THE LAST LITTLE WHILE, HASN'T IT , THAT THE TOWNSHIP'S PERCENTAGE IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS DROPPED .

>> IT HAS , BECAUSE IT USED TO BE CLOSER TO 10%.

>> IT DID. >> SO, IT HAS.

>> WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT ?

>> THE A PERCENT -- >> BINGO. BINGO. AND I THINK THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS WELL FOR THE RESIDENTS IN CREEKSIDE , THAT MAYBE THEY BETTER START GOING TO COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT MEETINGS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT . >> A NIGHTMARE .

>> SO, AGAIN, INCREDIBLE FINANCIAL RESULTS , AND NOW, I WANT TO TURN THE PAGE AND LOOK AT WHAT WE GET FOR BOTH IS THROUGH PAYING FOR THE FUNDS, AND AGAIN, FOR $2.24, I GUESS, ONE WAY YOU CAN SAY, WHAT DO YOU GET IN TERMS OF SERVICES. ONE OF THE PRIMARY THINGS , ANGELA, BAILEY, ALL OF YOU, I KNOW YOU SAID ALL THE TIME, IS PUBLIC SAFETY. WITHOUT A SAFE AMENITY, NONE OF THE REST OF THIS REALLY MATTERS SO MUCH. AND, WE HAVE TALKED TONIGHT ABOUT THE COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, AND HOW IT IS THE NUMBER-ONE PRIORITY FOR THE BOARD. PART OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, OF COURSE, AND OUR VERY OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS AN ISO RATING OF 1, THE HIGHEST

[02:40:05]

RATING AVAILABLE, LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY ACHIEVE THAT RATING, AND THERE IS A LOT THAT GOES INTO THAT RATING. A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS, TRAINING, STAFFING, WATER PRESSURE , AND BUT , IT IS A MEASURE OF HOW WELL THE DEPARTMENT SERVES THE COMMUNITY.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ALSO, AS YOU KNOW -- HAS A REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE FOR ASSETS, AND IS A REALLY GOOD JOB OF TRACKING THOSE, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE RELIABLE EQUIPMENT , AND VEHICLES TO RESPOND TO OUR EMERGENCIES. WE HAD TWO REPLACEMENTS IN -- NEW PLACEMENTS -- IN 2024. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS, THE CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS.

BROKE GROUND ON FIRE STATION NUMBER FIVE, LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT COMPLETION AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.RENOVATIONS ARE ONGOING AT THE EMERGENCY TRAINING CENTER . ALSO, WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT THEY HAD THEIR INCIDENT CALLS INCREASE ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL 1000 WHEN YOU LOOK AT 2023 COMPARED TO 2024. SO, THEY ARE BUSY, BUT WE GET RATE, GREAT RESPONSE.

>> DID YOU SEE THE TOP ONE DITCH% OF THE STATE OR THE

NATION? FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. >> IF I SAID, STATE, THAT WAS

INCORRECT. I MEANT THE NATION. >> YEAH.

>> OKAY. WE TALKED THIS EVENING, EARLIER, ABOUT THE TOWNSHIP'S COMMITMENT ENHANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN OUR MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT IS , AND THE BOARD DOES SHOW THAT, WITH THEIR FINANCIAL COMMITMENT, IN 2024, WE ADDED -- THE BOARD ADDED -- 60 TO THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

THOSE WERE PRIMARILY -- NOT MERELY -- THOSE WERE IN THE TOWN CENTER AREA. WE ALSO ADDED TWO PRICES FOR MIDDLESEX SPECIALISTS. THE HARRIS COUNTY, PRECINCT 4, WHICH SERVES THE VILLAGE OF CREEKSIDE PARK. WE ADDED TWO THERE IN '24, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 15. THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRECINCT 3, ADDED TO THE -- BOARD ADDED TO THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, ONE IN SAFE HARBOR, AND TWO IN THE INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN .SO, IN TOTAL, THE BOARD HAS A COMMITMENT OF 17.9 MILLION TO ENHANCE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY REMAINS, AS WE TALKED ABOUT, ONE OF THE SAFEST IN THE NATION. NOW, WANT TO MOVE TO TRANSPORTATION. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024 FOR US, IN TERMS OF OUR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP GAINED A MOVING POSITION ON THE TRANSPORTATION POLICY COUNCIL AT THE HOUSTON/GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL. THIS BODY PROVIDES POLICY GUIDANCE , AND OVERALL COORDINATION OF TRANSPORTATION PLANNING THROUGHOUT OUR EIGHT COUNTY REGION . THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP IS THE SECOND-LARGEST TRANSIT AGENCY IN THE GREATER HOUSTON REGION. CERTAINLY, APPROPRIATE THAT WE HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE NOW. IT IS THANKS TO ALL OF YOU ON THE BOARD FOR WORKING AND ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF THAT, AND I KNOW THE COUNTY , JUDGE MARQUIS, ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING US GET THAT SEAT AT THE TABLE. IT HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM, 2024, THE COMPLETION OF THE ROUTE PLANNING STUDY. THOSE INITIATIVES WERE APPROVED BY THE BOARD TO INCREASE RIDERSHIP AND REDUCE TRAVEL TIME . WE CAN ALREADY SEE THE RESULTS . IN THE WOODLANDS EXPRESS, WHICH IS OUR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS PARK AND RIDE, WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN A 4.2% INCREASE IN RIDERSHIP IN OUR TOWN CENTER TROLLING PROGRAM, 12% INCREASE IN RIDERSHIP , AND IN 2024, WE SURPASSED 200,000 RIDES FOR THE FIRST TIME. THAT WAS GREAT .

RODEO SERVICE CONTINUES TO BE A HUGELY POPULAR SERVICE PROVIDED , AND THE BOARD HAS CONSISTENTLY REVIEWED THAT ANALYSIS , AND LAST YEAR, CHOSE TO EXPAND SERVICE TO EVERY THURSDAY. WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE, FOR YEARS, DONE FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY SERVICE, BUT WE HAD A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR THURSDAY SERVICE .

THE BOARD DID THAT LAST YEAR, PLUS EVERY WEEKDAY DURING SPRING BREAK, ALSO PROVIDING THAT SERVICE.

>> ALI WRAPPING THE BUSES NOW? IS THAT THE NEWS ON THE BUSES?

>> THAT IS THE ENERGY CORRIDOR BUS.

>> OKAY. THAT WE TRIED TO FUND ONE WITH THE RAFT TODAY, I RAN OUT OF TIME. I WILL SWITCH OUT THE SLIDE WHEN I FIND IT.

>> NOW, MOVING TO COMMUNICATIONS. THE BOARD , IN THE BEGINNING OF 2024, APPROVED THE COMMUNICATIONS ACTION PLAN , LITERALLY AT HUNDREDS OF ITEMS ON IT, VERY DETAILED, AND THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF GOING THROUGH AND GETTING A LOT OF THOSE COMPLETED . SOME OF THEM ARE IN PROGRESS,

[02:45:05]

AND SOME OF THEM ARE STILL REMAINING TO DO IN THE PLANNING STAGES, BUT AGAIN, MAKING A LOT OF AU GRES ON THE COMMUNICATIONS ACTION PLAN APPROVED BY THE BOARD. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2024 ON THE REDESIGN THE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE, REVAMP TALK OF THE TOWNSHIP, BRANDED EMAIL AND NEWSLETTERS ACROSS DEPARTMENTS, EXPANDED VIDEO PRODUCTION , AND WE ARE IN THE WEBSITE REDESIGN PROCESS, AND END OF MARCH, WE WILL LAUNCH, SO, WE ARE VERY CLOSE ON THAT, AND I THINK YOU WILL BE VERY PLEASED WITH THAT. SO MUCH EASIER TO USE. REALLY, REALLY DYNAMIC OF COURSE, WE ALL COLLECTIVELY SPENT , ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY, AND COMMUNICATION WAS NO EXCEPTION TO THAT. MOVING ONTO PARKS AND RECREATION, I AM NOT GOING TO READ THROUGH ALL OF THESE. I'M ALWAYS SO IMPRESSED STATISTICS, AND THERE IS ACTUALLY, I CAN PROBABLY GO ON FOR THREE OR FOUR PAGES IF I WANTED TO GET DOWN INTO MORE DETAIL. SO, SUFFICE IT TO SAY, PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT HAS A LOT THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR , AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED TALKING ABOUT TREES AND ALL OF THAT STUFF YET, BUT THIS IS JUST IN TERMS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION EVENT, AND IT IS INCREDIBLE. THEY DO A FANTASTIC JOB. WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME THINGS FOR 2024 THAT CAME ON YOU. BEVERAGE PARK AND SPORTS FIELDS. THE TOP-LEFT CORNER AND THE ONE ON THE RIGHT. SOME OF YOU WERE JUST THERE FOR OUR SPORTS FIELD DEDICATION. MOST OF THAT WAS COMPLETED IN 2024. THE FIELDS -- THE TURF WAS REPLACED.

WE GOT A LOT MORE USEFUL LIFE OUT OF THEM. ORIGINALLY ANTICIPATED MORE, BUT THEY WERE REPLACED LAST YEAR, AND THEN THERE WAS A PLAYGROUND, RESTROOMS, OTHER AMENITIES IMPROVEMENTS , AND WE HAVE MANY USERS OF THAT PARK . I DON'T HAVE A PICTURE HERE. MAYBE LAST YEAR, YOU REMEMBER THE SPRING GROUND FROM FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR. HUGELY POPULAR. ALSO OPENED A MULTIPURPOSE SPORTS COURT, WHICH IS WHAT YOU SEE THERE. THE LOOKOUT FOR CLIENT OPENED , WAS COMPLETED IN '24, OPENED UP EARLIER THIS YEAR. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR EISSLER, FOR COMING OUT AND HELPING US WITH THAT DEDICATION. AGAIN, IT IS OUT IN GEORGE MITCHELL NATURE PRESERVE IF ANYBODY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT THERE. IT IS BEAUTIFUL . IT IS CALM, QUIET IF YOU GO AT THE RIGHT TIME. VERY COOL. WE CERTAINLY HAVE OUR BIRDWATCHING AT ENTHUSIASTS ENJOYING IT IN THE WOODLANDS.

THIS IS THE PATHWAY NEWLY COMPLETED IN 2024, A MAJOR PROJECT, AND IS -- THE PATHWAY -- IS BEING UTILIZED AND ENJOYED BY THE RESIDENTS ALONG THAT AREA, AS WELL AS OTHERS . WANT TO MOVE TO REFORESTATION. BEFORE STATION, 2024 BOARD PRIORITY, AGAIN IN 2025 . THE BOARD INCREASED THE INVESTMENT IN BEFORE STATION TO $1 MILLION ANNUAL THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO BE ABLE TO PLANT AN ADDITIONAL 6000 TREES , AND WE WERE LOOKING AT A FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN, IN TERMS OF AWARENESS, PRIORITY SITES, HAZARD TREE ASSESSMENT, INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL, AND ALL OF THOSE ARE INCLUDED IN THAT, AND WE HAVE A DRAFT REPORT FROM OUR CONSULTANT ON BEFORE STATION THAT WE WILL BE SHARING SOON WITH THE BOARD TO AID Y'ALL IN MAKING DECISIONS MOVING FORWARD ON HOW TO APPLY OUR RESOURCES . WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY , AGAIN, JUST THE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROGRAM THAT EVER SINCE WE ACQUIRED IT IN JULY OF 2023, AND THE BOARD HAS TALKED ABOUT THE HOLIDAY EXHIBIT, AND MADE THE DECISION TO EVEN ENHANCE THAT EXPERIENCE. ESSENTIAL EVENTS, A HUGE PART OF WHAT WE DO, AND OUR RESIDENTS LOVE THIS. THAT WE OFFER A TON OF VARIETY, BECAUSE WE HAVE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE DIFFERENT -- I DON'T KNOW IF TASTE IS THE RIGHT WORD -- THEY ENJOY DIFFERENT THINGS. SOME OF THEM ENJOYED ALL OF THEM, SOME ENJOY SPECIFIC THINGS. BUT HE'S TURNOUTS FOR ALL OF OUR EVENTS, AND A LOT OF FUN. OF COURSE, THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY WAS THE BIG EVENT IN 2024 . SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THAT, SO, I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO DETAIL, WE DID DAY-BY-DAY. THESE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE PICTURE FROM THAT WEEK OF EVENTS, AND WE DID -- THE WOODLANDS -- APPLIED FOR THE GLOBAL RECOGNITION OF

[02:50:02]

THIS EVENT , IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION . AS YOU WILL RECALL, POWER Q'S WAS THE FOUNDING SPONSOR, AND THE TOWNSHIP WAS THE PRODUCING SPONSOR, BUT BETWEEN THAT PARTNERSHIP, IT WAS A WOW, NOT JUST AN EVENT, THE ENTIRE WEEK WAS JUST INCREDIBLE. OKAY.

SPEAKING OF AWARDS, WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THAT ONE. I WANT TO GO THROUGH A SERIES OF AWARDS. WHEN WE DO ALL OF THESE SERVICES, AND WE HAVE THE TYPE OF REVENUES THAT WE HAVE, WE DO GET RECOGNIZED FOR THAT, AND IT IS NICE TO HAVE OUR PEERS IN OUR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS LOOKING AT OUR IMMUNITY AS THE STANDARD AS WHAT TO FOLLOW. SO, HERE ARE THE NICHE.COM RATINGS.

NUMBER ONE BEST CITY TO BUY A HOUSE IN AMERICA, BEST IMMUNITY TO LIVE IN AMERICA, NUMBER TWO, BEST COMMUNITY TO RAISE A FAMILY IN AMERICA, NUMBER TWO. THESE ARE JUST INCREDIBLE. HERE IS OUR FINANCIAL ACCOLADES. AGAIN, WE TALKED ABOUT HOW YOU HAVE TO BE STRONG FINANCIALLY. SO, BUDGET AWARD, CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE AND FINANCIAL REPORTING, AND THEN OUR PLAIN ON IT FOR 14 YEARS OF GROWTH. HERE IS SOME OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS WE HAVE WON FOR THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INITIATIVES THE BOARD APPROVES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT BACK IN 2024. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AWARDS , THE GOLDSTAR AFFILIATE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES . WE WANTED TO SHOW THIS, WOODLANDS FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS HONORED WITH THE GEORGE MITCHELL AWARD FOR THE 2024 INTERFAITH HOMETOWN HEROES GALA , AND HAD TO THROW THIS IN. FRIDAY EVENING, OUR VERY OWN NICK WALTON WILL BE HONORED AT THE 2025 CELEBRATION AS A HOMETOWN HERO . PARKS AND RECREATION RECEIVED VARIOUS AWARDS FOR BIKING AND FOR AQUATICS, AND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING , AND I WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT, AS I'M SPEAKING RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE STAFF THAT IS IN ALLEN, TEXAS . THEY ARE RECEIVING, TONIGHT, FROM THE TEXAS RECREATION PARK SOCIETY, A 2024 GOLD MEDAL, WHICH IS GOING TO DEMONSTRATE THREE YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF PARKS AND RECREATION, AS WE TALKED ABOUT , NO ONE DOES A BETTER THAN OUR PARKS AND RECREATION TEAM , AND THEY'RE BEING RECOGNIZED FOR THAT THIS EVENING. VERY, VERY PROUD OF THEM. ALL OF THOSE I JUST WENT THROUGH A VERY NICE. LIKE WE SAID, WE LIKE TO BE RECOGNIZED BY OUR PEERS AND PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS, BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY MEAN ANYTHING IF OUR RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE THE SATISFACTION IN WHAT THE BOARD AND STAFF PROVIDING, AND AS WE HEARD EARLIER, WE CERTAINLY DO HAVE THAT. SO, AGAIN, NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THESE, BECAUSE WE HAD ALL THAT REPORT, BUT THAT IS REALLY THE MEASURE WE ARE LOOKING FOR, IS HOW SATISFIED OUR RESIDENTS ARE WITH THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE. ONE OF THE THINGS MENTIONED WAS PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE IN THERE, 83%, AGAIN, VERY, VERY GOOD SCORE, BUT I WANTED TO TAKE A QUICK MINUTE TO TALK ABOUT PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE. SO, WE STARTED OFF THE YEAR , WOODLANDS 2025, WITH A SNOW EVENT . ALSO, WHEN WE PREPARED -- WHAT WE PREPARED FOR -- WAS AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE, BECAUSE WE ENDED UP GETTING THE BEST -- THE PERFECT STORM IN A GOOD WAY. RIGHT? BUT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. WE WERE VERY PREPARED. AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, IF YOU DON'T HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY, YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY ISN'T STRONG, THE REST OF IT THE DOESN'T MATTER. BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A PERFECT STORM IN A GOOD WAY, I GET TO SHOW YOU PICTURES TONIGHT OF JUST PRETTY THINGS, PRETTY SCENERY OF THE SNOW THAT RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN IN, AND SOME HAPPY PICTURES OF PEOPLE, OUR RESIDENTS, ENJOYING THE SNOW LOOKS LIKE A SNOW DOG .

GREAT PICTURE. BUT YOU WILL RECALL THIS, LAST YEAR IN HURRICANE BERYL. OUR RESPONSE IS NOT ALWAYS FOR HAPPY THINGS. WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THIS. AGAIN, THE TOWNSHIP CONTINUES TO FUND PUBLIC SAFETY IN A BIG WAY, BECAUSE AS YOU SEE, IT IS YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY FIRE STATION 5, AS YOU KNOW, WE BROKE GROUND LAST YEAR. THIS YEAR, IT WILL BE OPEN TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR, REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. AGAIN, COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, WE ARE DOING EMERGENCY CENTER -- EMERGENCY TRAINING CENTER RENOVATIONS. LORD PURCHASED A NEW WILDLIFE -- AGAIN -- TO MAKE SURE WE ARE EVEN MORE PREPARED THAN PREVIOUSLY, AND LOOKING AT COMMUNICATION TOOLS THAT WE CAN

[02:55:01]

ROLL OUT IN OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE . WE'LL BE BRINGING SOME OF THOSE BACK TO YOU IN EITHER MARCH OR APRIL. WE TALKED ABOUT THE WEBSITE LAUNCH , GOING TO BE GREAT, COMING UP AT THE END OF MARCH HERE. WE ARE UNDER TOWNHALL RENOVATIONS, AS WE TALKED ABOUT THESE IT IS REALLY, FOR ANY OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR OVER THERE , FOR PUTTING THEM ON THE SPOT WHEREVER HE IS -- WE'LL GET YOU A TOUR. IT IS REALLY COMING TOGETHER NOW. IT IS VERY, VERY PRETTY. THAT END OF THE BUILDING, FIRST PHASE. THIS PART OF THE BUILDING, INCLUDING THE BOARD ROOM, WILL BE THE NEXT PHASE COMING UP IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. A LOT OF YOU HAVE BEEN ASKING TO SEE WHAT THE CARPET LOOKS LIKE THERE YOU GO. EVEN GOT YOU A PICTURE OF THE CARPET. OUR TRANSPORTATION, THE THING I REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT HERE, I WANT TO BRAG ON RUTH- ANN. SHE HAD DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB. WE IDENTIFIED THAT WE NEEDED TO FIND MORE GRANT AND OTHER TYPES OF REVENUES SO THAT WE WERE NOT USING TOWNSHIP TAX DOLLARS TO PAY FOR OUR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS, AND WITH HER HELP, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED WHAT IS CALLED TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT CREDITS, TDC'S, TO FUND THE LOT OF OUR MAJOR PROJECTS COMING UP .SO, AGAIN, THIS ISN'T GOING TO COST THE TOWNSHIP TAXPAYERS A DOLLAR. BEFORE, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY A LOCAL SHARE, NOW, USING TDC'S TO DO THAT. 25 MILLION TO REPLACE BUSES, 10 MILLION FOR NEW TRANSIT AND MAINTENANCE FACILITY, 3 MILLION TO REPLACE TROLLEYS. WHAT WE ARE EXPLORING NOW ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO FULLY FUND TRANSIT OPERATIONS, NOT JUST CAPITAL , WAS THE THING, BUT LOOKING TO FUND OPERATIONS ON AN ONGOING, LONG-TERM BASIS. SO, MORE TO COME FROM THAT, BUT THIS HAS BEEN -- THIS IS SAVING THE TOWNSHIP, AS YOU CAN SEE RIGHT THERE, $30 MILLION. SO --

>> MAY I SAY SOMETHING THERE? >> OF COURSE .

>> SERVICE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UCA, THE TRANSIT ORGANIZATION FOR THE WOODLANDS CONROE , AND IT HAS BEEN A REAL EYE-OPENER FOR ME TO SEE HOW THEY HAVE DONE SUCH A GREAT JOB ON THIS, BRINGING IN THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO GIVE ACCOLADES TO THE CONSULTING FIRM THAT WE USE, WHICH IS THE GOODMAN COMPANY, WHICH I MENTIONED TO THE CHAIRMAN RECENTLY, THEY ARE VERY GOOD AT FIGURING OUT WHERE THE FEDERAL MONEY IS . I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR BEING SUCH GOOD STEWARDS, AND LOOKING AT THIS , AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES GOING FORWARD FOR BRINGING IN DIFFERENT WAYS OF MOVING PEOPLE, HELPING THEM COME TO THE WOODLANDS AND NOT BE STUCK IN SURFACE LOTS WHERE THEY ARE WALKING AROUND , KNOWING WHERE THEY ARE GOING, AND CROSSING STREETS, USING PETTY CAPS THAT ARE MAYBE NOT THE BEST WAY. SO, I NEED TO LOOK AT THAT GOING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.

TALK ABOUT PLANNING. I THINK WORKING AN UNDERGROUND PARKING, BRINGING PEOPLE HERE SAFELY FOR OUR BIG EVENTS, AND HAVING THEM FEEL GOOD ABOUT I IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PLANNING GOING FORWARD .

>> AGREED. TO THE AGREE. HERE IS SOME MORE OF JUST A COUPLE MORE SLIDES HERE, PROJECTS, INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS, PROJECT AT MILL ROAD AND PARKWAY . THIS IS GOING TO BE PHENOMENAL BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT IS STARTING HERE WITHIN A COUPLE OF

WEEKS' TIMEFRAME. >> YEAH..

>> THAT WOULD BE AWESOME . WE TALKED ABOUT OUR HIGHWAY 242 PATHWAY . THIS WILL NOT BE GOING THIS YEAR, BUT WANTED TO REMIND US THAT THAT IS STILL OUT THERE. IT WILL BE A HUGE IMPROVEMENT.

THE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE BOARD ALREADY IMPROVING THE SPORTS FIELDS GETTING UNDERWAY THIS YEAR. THAT WILL BE VERY HELPFUL TO OUR TEAM. THIS IS THE 208-ACRE SOUTH GOSLIN PARCEL.

AGAIN, MORE TO COME ON THIS. THE IMPORTANT PART HERE IS WE HAVE IT SECURED AND OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP IT. THIS IS OUR WOODLANDS MALL EXPANSION . I AM JUST BRINGING THIS UP, BECAUSE WANT TO KNOW, REMIND EVERYBODY, THAT THAT AGREEMENT IS STILL IN PLACE. THIS BOARD CONTINUES TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH BROOKFIELD, THE OWNER OF THE MALL , AND A VERY EXCITING ECONOMIC ELEMENT OPPORTUNITY ON THE HORIZON. AS IS THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT. WE ARE IN PHASE TWO STUDY THAT IS LOOKING SPECIFICALLY AT FINANCIALS , AND HOW THAT MAY PLAY OUT IF WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS TO DO THIS. SOMETHING I KNOW WE ARE ALL HOPEFUL WE CAN MAKE HAPPEN SO, WE ARE STILL ANALYZING THAT. THEN, FINALLY, ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT, AND EARLIER, WE HEARD THE BOARD -- WE DON'T HAVE A DATE YET -- WE KNOW WE WILL HAVE A STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP -- AND A LOT OF THINGS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT, I'M GUESSING, I WANT TO BE TOPICS WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT AT THAT PLANNING WORKSHOP, SO THAT WE CAN LEAVE SOME OF THAT MOVING FORWARD, AND WITH THAT, THAT

[03:00:03]

CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE JUST A MINUTE TO FIRST THANK ALL OF YOU. NONE OF THIS IS POSSIBLE AT ALL WITHOUT YOUR VISION , THE RESOURCES THAT YOU PROVIDE, YOUR LEADERSHIP. THAT MAKES ALL OF IT -- THAT IS A CATALYST FOR ALL THAT IS HAPPENING -- AND AGAIN, MAKING OUR AMENITIES SUCH A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF IS HERE, THE ONES THAT ARE HERE, AND THE ONES THAT AREN'T HERE .

IT IS OUR JOB TO TAKE YOUR VISION AND RESOURCES TO PROVIDE AN TO EXECUTE IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT YOUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, AND I THINK YOU HAVE THE FINEST TEAM AROUND IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT .SO, WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. REALLY INCREDIBLE. WE HAVE AN

INCREDIBLE TEAM HERE. >> THANK YOU, MONIQUE.

>> THANK YOU. WELL DONE. MATT BARRIE --

>> DO WE HAVE ACCESS TO THESE SLIDES?

>> NO. THEY WILL BE POSTED ONLINE, AND I WILL EMAIL THEM TO

YOU. >> ON THE SCREEN?

>> I TO FIND THE BEST PAGE. >> TERRIFIC

>> BEFORE YOU GO, JUST STAY THERE FOR A MINUTE SO WE CAN ALL SAY, THANK YOU, PERSONALLY, BECAUSE I THINK WE ARE DIRECTORS, WE ARE ALL DIRECTORS. WE ARE HERE PART-TIME. WE ARE NOT PAID. YOU AND YOUR STAFF ARE THE FULL-TIME OPERATION , AND I CAN'T NOT SAY THAT TO THE PUBLIC, THAT HOW MUCH WE RELY ON YOU, YOUR TALENT, YOUR DEDICATION OBVIOUS FOR LOVE OF THIS COMMUNITY IS OBVIOUS. YOU HAVE BEEN HERE HOW MANY YEARS? 30? I WANT TO SAY, BECAUSE MY AGE --

>> MORE THAN 30. >> MORE THAN 30? BUT AT THIS JOB, YOU BRING SO MUCH EXPERIENCE AND LOVE, AND UNDERSTANDING TO IT . IT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING. I WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU, MONIQUE, YOUR EXECUTIVE TEAM. Y'ALL ARE THE BEST, AND ALL STAFF, EVERYBODY IS -- THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK TO THE PODIUM SO I CAN SAY THAT -- I'M SURE OTHERS FEEL JUST

THE SAME. >> THANK YOU, MONIQUE SEVEN BOSSES, I CANNOT IMAGINE --

>> IT IS GREAT. >> REALLY APPRECIATE YOU, AND WE DON'T SAY IT ENOUGH. SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT IS KIND OF MOVING, LOOKING BACK, YOU KNOW, ALWAYS KIND OF LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT THING, BUT I'M GLAD YOU SHOWED THIS. THIS IS REALLY

GOOD. ALL RIGHT. >> THANK YOU.

>> I CALL FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ACCEPT THE REPORT BY

DIRECTOR SNYDER . >> SECOND.

[16. 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;]

>> SECOND BY DIRECTOR FRANK S DOLLARS IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY

SAYING, AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. WE WILL HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION TONIGHT. I WILL HEREBY ANNOUNCE EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATED TO SECTION 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CELEBRATION OF, DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071 , TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, DISCUSS PERSONAL MATTERS CRITICAL IN STRUCTURE SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE 551.089, PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN, OR WILL RECONVENE EXACTLY AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION IS OVER. IT IS 9:03.

[17. Reconvene in public session;]

>> 9:49. RECONVENING INTO SESSION. WE WILL -- IT WILL NOT

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

BE NECESSARY TO TAKE ANY ACTIONS. ANY FUTURE AGENDA OR

ANNOUNCEMENTS? >> I HAVE TWO AGENDA ITEMS. ONE WOULD BE -- AN UPDATE ON THE WATERWAY DELTA -- SO, TWO AGENDA ITEMS. ONE IS AN UPDATE ON THE MOUNTAIN. PEOPLE ASK ME ABOUT THAT. THE SECOND ONE, I BROUGHT UP LAST YEAR AND KIND OF DROPPED IT, BUT I CAME BACK FROM FLORIDA, AND THAT CIRCUIT RIDE, THE ELECTRIC CAR WITH THE MODEL OF A UBER IS UNBELIEVABLE. FORT LAUDERDALE HAS 20 OF THEM. POMPANO BEACH IS FOUR OF THEM. I USED THEM THE ENTIRE TIME , AND I THINK THAT IT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD WANT IS 10% TWO. HELPS WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, HELPS WITH PARKING ISSUES, IT KEEPS EVERYTHING INSIDE OUR COMMUNITY LIMITS. SO, THEY CANNOT GO TO A RESTAURANT IN SHENANDOAH. EVERYTHING STAYS RIGHT WITHIN THE WOODLANDS. IT IS AMAZING. IT COSTS NOTHING, 0 CAN BUT THE PEOPLE -- THE GUY MAKES 14 THE 99 AN HOUR. THE HOURS ON THE WEEKDAYS ARE 9 TO

[03:05:05]

10, WEEKENDS, 10:00 TO 11:00, AND IT IS AMAZING. I THINK IT WOULD HELP WITH OUR PARKING AS WELL. I LOVE IT. THEY ARE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING BRAND-NEW WE ARE LOOKING AT, BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GETTING GRANTS FOR TRANSPORTATION, AND I THINK, WITH THE ELECTRIC PART, SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK AT. ANYWAYS, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES TO LOOK INTO THAT, BUT I WOULD LIKE THAT TO BE A FUTURE

AGENDA ITEM. >> I WILL SECOND THAT.