[10. Receive, consider and act upon a letter to Congressman Dan Crenshaw in support of the San Jacinto River Authority and Woodlands Water Agency request for federal appropriations for Bear Branch Dam;]

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR RESPOND BY SAYING AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 10 RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A LETTER TO CONGRESSMAN DAN CRENSHAW IN SUPPORT FOR THE SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY AND WOODLANDS WATER AGENCY REQUEST FOR FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR BEAR BRANCH

DAM. >> ONE OF THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE IS ABILITY TO ASK FOR WHAT THEY CALL COMMUNITY FUNDED PROJECTS, AND THOSE ARE BASICALLY PROJECTS HAPPENING IN THEIR DISTRICT THEY WANT TO PROVIDE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO.

BACK IN 2022 THE BOARD AT THAT TIME ISSUED A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR MODIFICATIONS AND REHABILITATION OF THE BEAR BRANCH DAM BECAUSE OF ITS SERVICE LIFE.

OBVIOUSLY ALL INFRASTRUCTURE HAS A SERVICE LIFE.

IT'S GETTING CLOSER TO ITS SERVICE LIFE SO THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE MODIFICATIONS AND REPAIRS WERE DONE APPROPRIATELY. ABOUT $3. 6 MILLION WAS APPROPRIATED TO THAT IN FISCAL YEAR 2024 APPROPRIATIONS, WHICH ALLOWED ENGINEERING AND SOME OTHER WORK TO BE DONE.

DURING THE ENGINEERING PHASE THEY'VE DISCOVERED THE SPILLWAY HAS ADDITIONAL ISSUES. IT'S LIFTED.

THERE'S WATER INTRUSION UNDERNEATH, SO IT NEEDS TO ALSO BE REHABBED, SO THEY'RE ASKING AGAIN FOR FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS FROM MR. CRENSHAW TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT SPILLWAY REPAIR. WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IN YOUR PACKET IS A DRAFT LETTER BASICALLY INDICATING THE BOARD'S SUPPORT FOR SAN JACINTO RIVER AND WOODLANDS AUTHORITY TO REQUEST THOSE

FUNDS. >> ANY QUESTIONS? AS SOMEONE WHO LIVES HALF A MILE FROM THAT SPILLWAY IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

>> THIS IS IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE CRENSHAW SINCERELY FOR TAKING AN INTEREST IN WATER AND FLOODING FOR OUR AREA. I THINK THE BOARD, OBVIOUSLY WE ALL FEEL THE SAME THAT THIS IS OUTSTANDING.

WE NEED THAT HELP, AND IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE OUR TAX DOLLARS COME HOME AND DO LOCAL PROJECTS, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE HIS INITIATIVE.

AND ALSO I'M GOING TO ASK FOR AN AGENDA ITEM LATER, BUT WE ASK HIM TO LOOK AT THE FLOODING ISSUE THAT WE HAD PRESENTED TO US BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER FLOODING WE COULD USE HIS HELP ON.

>> GET TO THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER, BUT ALSO SENDING A LETTER TO CONGRESSMAN LETREL IN SPOET OF THIS?

>> THIS ONE IS ACTUALLY FOR CONGRESSMAN CRENSHAW BECAUSE APPROPRIATIONS IS GOING THROUGH HIM FOR ANOTHER DISTRICT. THERE IS ANOTHER LETTER COMING UP FOR HIM NEXT.

>> I'M SORRY. I SAW TWO LETTERS.

ALL RIGHT, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? IF NOT, I CALL FOR A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THIS LETTER.

>> MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> SORRY, WE'RE EAGER.

>> MOVED BY DIRECTOR FRANKS EARLY IN THE PROCESS

[11. Receive, consider and act upon a Letter of Support for the W. Goodrich Jones State Forest;]

AND SECONDED BY DIRECTOR

[00:40:01]

SEKULA-GIBBS. IT'S TODD STEVENS NIGHT AT THE TOWNSHIP, DIRECTORS. SO I CALL ON TODD STEVENS TO TALK ABOUT SUPPORT FOR THE W. GOODRICH JONES STATE FOREST.

THIS IS THE LETTER TO CONGRESSMAN

LETRELL. >> IT'S USED BY OUR RESIDENTS FOR EDUCATION AND LEARNING.

AS OUR COMMUNITY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THIS AREA HAVE GROWN BECAUSE THE FOREST IS SURROUNDED BY THE TOWNSHIP IN THE CITY, THE METHODS BY WHICH THE FOREST SERVICE OR THE TEXAS A&M THEY DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE THE EQUIPMENT OR PERSONNEL TO DO THE MECHANICAL MANAGEMENT THEY NEED TO DO.

AS SUCH THEY'RE SEEKING A MILLION DOLLAR FEDERAL APPROPRIATION THROUGH CONGRESSMAN LETRELL'S OFFICE THROUGH THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE.

WE HAVE I THINK ABOUT 100 OR LITTLE MORE THAN 100 HOMES OR MULTIFAMILY HOMES THAT BORDER ADJACENT DIRECTLY TO THE FOREST, AND OBVIOUSLY KEEPING THE FOREST RISK OF WILDFIRE DOWN IS A SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT TO A COMMUNITY LIKE OURS WHO'S BUILDING THE NATURAL FOREST RIGHT NEXT TO THEM. THIS IS EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT TO THE CONGRESSMAN FOR THAT

APPROPRIATION. >> ALL RIGHT, GOT THE LETTER EAR. PAGES 54, 55. DO KBRFB ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? IF NOT DO I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE SUPPORT ALL THOSE IN FAVOR RESPOND BY SAYING AYE.

[12. Receive, consider and act upon an update on the development of South Gosling Park;]

ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

TODD, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND SIT DOWN,

MAN. >> THANK YOU,

SIR. >> YOU'VE BEEN WORKING HARD TONIGHT. TO ITEM 12.

RECEIVE, CONSIDER, AND ACT UPON AN UPDATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTH GOSLING

PARK. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS. SOUTH GOSLING PARK IS A 200- ACRE TRACK OF LAND IN THE CREEKSIDE PARK. THE LAND WAS CONVEYED TO THE TOWNSHIP BACK IN 2003 AND SINCESINCE THAT TIME VARIOUS PLANNING EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE. WE APPROACHED THE BOARD IN APRIL -- A YEAR AGO WITH A REPORT ON SOME OF THE INUNDATION PLANS, ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS, AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS WHICH REALLY OUTLINED A LOT OF WHAT CAN BE DONE IN THAT PARK, AND IT SHOWED THAT 42 ACRES WAS OUTSIDE OF THE 100- YEAR FLOOD PLAN AND 173 ACRES WAS ACTUALLY IN THE FLOODWAY, AND SO YOU KIND OF CAN START SEEING SOME THINGS, WHAT CAN OR CANNOT BE DONE IN THAT PARK.

WE CAME BACK TO THE BOARD IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR AND REALLY PRESENTED A PLAN OF COMMUNICATION AS WELL AS A PUBLIC INPUT PLAN. AND WHILE THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT AND BUILD CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PLANS, THE MOTION AT THAT TIME WAS TO ACCEPT THE REPORT.

SO AT THIS POINT WHAT WE NEED IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MOVING FORWARD WITH CREATING A CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN IS THAT DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THIS ITEM, I BELIEVE, ALSO IS GOING TO BE A POTENTIAL ITEM AT THE STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING AS WELL.

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE ON THE STRATEGIC PLANNING WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT AT LENGTH,

ARE WE? >> I BELIEVE

SO. >> SO DO WE PUNT TONIGHT AND WAIT UNTIL THAT PLAN?

>> I BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO BE A TOPIC THAT HAS BEEN A STRONG INDICATION, SO I RECOMMEND THAT WE TALK ABOUT IT IN THAT ENVIRONMENT INSTEAD OF TONIGHT.

>> THAT'S THE EASIER AGENDA ITEM YOU'VE EVER HAD,

CHRIS. >> I MOTION TO PUNT.

>> ALL RIGHT, MOTION TO PUNT TO THE STRATEGIC SESSION MADE BY DIRECTOR EISSLER, SECONDED BY DR. HEISER.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> ASK FOR DISCUSSION -- I DO HAVE DISCUSSION ON THIS SINCE IT WAS RELEVANT TO WHAT I MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT HAVING MORE INPUT ON FLOODING. AND MARCUS ALLEN DID BRING UP A VERY GOOD TOPIC, WHICH IS THAT THIS IS A 208- ACRE PIECE OF LAND THAT SITS RIGHT ON SPRING CREEK, AND IT IS WORTH CONSIDERING AS A RESOURCE FOR FLOOD MITIGATION

[00:45:01]

AS WELL AS RECREATION IN ORDER TO TAKE AWAY THE PRIMARY INPUT WHICH IS RECREATIONAL OR THE PRIMARY FOCUS.

BUT HAVE WE CONSIDERED -- THIS IS MY QUESTION TO YOU. HAVE WE CONSIDERED IT AS ANY WAY ITS FLOOD MITIGATION POTENTIAL BESIDES JUST LETTING IT BE AS IT IS, AND ARE THERE WAYS TO PARTNER WITH EITHER MR. CRENSHAW OR WITH HARASS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL SINCE IT IS IN HARRIS COUNTY TO USE ANY KIND OF SOURCE THAT WOULD HELP US USE THIS LAND AS A FLOOD MITIGATION

RESOURCE? >> THAT IS A VERY DIFFICULT QUESTION FOR SOMETHING LIKE ME TO ANSWER DIRECTLY. WHAT I WOULD SAY IS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE WATERSHED, NOT JUST A PARCEL TO SAY HOW COULD THAT DO IN A VERY, VERY MICROLEVEL.

WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT FLOOD MITIGATION, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AND HOW IT ACTS, SO I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO ANSWER THAT. I'M QUALIFIED TO GIVE YOU AN UNDERSTANDING OF YOU CANNOT JUST LOOK AT THAT SPOT ON A MAP TO SAY WHAT IT CAN DO. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT UPSTREAM, DOWNSTREAM, HOW DOES IT INTERACT WITH SAN JACINTO RIVER AND OTHER WATER STREAMS AS WELL? COULD IT BE USED? THAT IS UP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THAT'S UP TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

>> I WOULD ALSO JUST SAY NOT JUST HARRIS COUNTY BUT MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CREEK IS MONTGOMERY COUNTY. THERE'S MANY HOMES BEHIND TIMBER RIDGE THAT HAVE BEEN CONDEMNED AND OWNED BY THE COUNTY AND GROWING AND TORN DOWN THAT ALSO COULD BE LOOKED AT FOR MITIGATION AND I CONCUR WITH

CHRIS. >> IT'S A MORE GLOBAL ISSUE.

>> AND I THINK IT'S ISSUES WE CAN, IN FACT, BRING UP IN STRATEGIC PLANNING.

>> BUT BRING SOME RESOURCE, BRING SOME INFORMATION TO US. MAYBE INVITE SOME

PEOPLE. >> SO YOUR AGENDA ITEM, THERE IS WORK BEING DONE UPSTREAM TO HELP WITH FLOOD MITIGATION, SO IT MIGHT BE GOOD TO HAVE MAYBE AN SJR REPRESENTATIVE AND TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO MITIGATE FLOODING AND WE CAN INCORPORATE THAT WHATEVER HAS BEEN

DISCUSSED. >> I'LL SECOND

THAT. >> AND ALSO AS YOU MENTIONED, BRING SOMEBODY FROM WHEELER'S OFFICE WHO MIGHT HAVE AN INTEREST IN THAT, TOO, AS WELL AS RAMSEY'S OFFICE.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? I'M SORRY FOR SHUTTING DOWN? IF NOT, DO I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ACCEPT THE REPORT?

[13. Receive, consider and act upon median reforestation efforts in the County right-of-way;]

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR RESPOND BY SAYING AYE.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

AGENDA ITEM 13 CONSIDER ACTING UPON REFORESTATION EFFORTS ON PAGE 58 OF YOUR

PACKET. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SPENT A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME. GOT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VARIOUS SITES FROM CHAIRMAN BAILEY AS WELL. SO WE LOOKED AT THOSE SITES TO POTENTIALLY KICK OFF A PILOT PROGRAM OF REFORESTATION.

WE SEE BARE SITES ADDRESSING OF THOSE AS WELL AS SOME SITES THAT WILL REQUIRE INTENSE VINE REMOVAL AS WELL AS REFORESTATION. WHAT IS THE REFORESTATION PROGRAM KIND OF WITH REMINDERS, WHAT THE CURRENT MIDDLE MEETING PROGRAM IS, AND REALLY IT'S KIND OF A HYBRID PROGRAM BETWEEN WHAT THE COUNTY DOES AND NOT DODO AS WELL AS WHAT WE DO AND DO NOT DO. SO WE WANT TO EDUCATE FOLKS ON THAT. WHAT THE PILOT PROGRAM OPTIONS WERE THAT WERE IDENTIFIED AND OPERATIONAL IMPACTSAND OVERALL RECOMMENDATION. THE BOARD HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. ACTUALLY, HISTORICALLY THE BOARDS HAVE BEEN TRUMENDESS IN TERMS OF REFORESTATION, BUT THIS BOARD HAS KICKED UP A NOTCH. WE'RE ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH OUR PLANTING SEASON FOR THIS YEAR. WE'RE FINISHING THAT UP THIS YEAR.

OF COURSE WHAT WE DO STRIVE TO DO IS USE NATIVE PINES AS WELL AS HARD WOODS THAT ARE VERY DROUGHT TOLERANT IN OUR COMMUNITY. NOW, THE CURRENT MIDDLE MEDIAN PROGRAM IS THESE -- JUST WANT TO CONTINUE TO REFLECT ON THE MIDDLE MEDIANS.

THE TOWNSHIP DOES NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. THOSE ARE THE PURVIEWS OF THE RESPECTIVE COUNTY, AND IN SOME CASE STATE HIGHWAY.

THE MEDIAN TIPS THAT HAVE ENHANCED LANDSCAPING, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE YOUR SMALLER CREPE MYRTLE TREES.

THOSE ARE WHAT WE'LL CALL THE CLEANED OUT AREA ANDAND JASMINE. THOSE ARE WHAT WE'RE

[00:50:02]

RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND THOSE LARGELY FALL UNDER THE STREETS CONTRACT WITH OUR LANDSCAPE PARTNERS BUT ALSO WITH THE COUNTIES AS WELL.

THE COUNTY SPECIFICALLY WE SPOKE HEAVILY OVER THE LAST WEEK OR TWO WITH MONTGOMERY COUNTY. THEY WILL REMOVE DEAD TREES IN THE MIDDLE MEDIANS, BUT THEY HAVE NO ACTIVE REMOVAL PROGRAM FOR STUMPS OR FOR VINES. CHAIRMAN BAILEY, I SAW LAST NIGHT WE WERE REMOVING STUMPS ON LAKE WOODLANDS AND UP TO THE CROSSING, SO THAT WAS A START.

THE TREE TRIMMING PROGRAM, WHICH YOU'LL SEE LARGE BRUSH HOGS. CHAIR WHEELER DOES A GOOD JOB.

THEY'VE BEEN OUT THIS YEAR ALREADY IN THAT AREA.

IF WE WERE TO DO REFORESTATION, WE'D HAVE TO GET ANY SITE APPROVED BY THEM, AND THAT MAKES SENSE AS OUR RIGHT-OF-WAY. MONTGOMERY COUNTY ESPECIALLY YESTERDAY THEY INDICATED THEY MAY PROVIDE TRAFFIC SUPPORT.

SO WHETHER THAT BE SIGNAGE, WHETHER THAT BE CONES, WHETHER THAT BE WHATEVER IT IS, AND THAT IS A TREMENDOUS EXPENSE THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THESE PRICES THAT WE'RE SEEING, SO IT IS A POSITIVE FROM THAT.

THE FIVE AREAS WE LOOKED AT, THE NUMBER ONE I THINK WE GO FROM LARGEST TO SMALLEST. YEAH, IN THAT ORDER GOSLING FROM TO STATION 8. IT IS ABOUT 1,200, 1,300 TREES.

IT IS A LOT OF TREES IN THAT AREA, A LOT OF HOLES, PER SE, IN THE FOREST THERE TO TRY TO ENHANCE THAT.

THIS AREA OVER HERE IS A LITTLE BIT SMALLER.

THIS IS RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR OFFICE.

THIS IS EAST AND WEST THE CREEK. CHAIRMAN BAILEY I THINK YOU BROUGHT IT UP AS A CONCERN.

THIS WILL TAKE VINE REMOVAL. THIS WILL ALSO TAKE REFORESTATION AS WELL, AND I THINK WE HAVE SCHEDULED THAT HERE ABOUT 350 TREES PLUS OR MINUS. THE REFORESTATION AREA, THIS IS WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR OFFICE. THERE'S ABOUT 80 TREES IN THAT AREA. THIS IS WHAT WAS REFERRED TO AS THE HAYSTACKS I BELIEVE AT LAST LAST MONTH'S MEETING.

FINALLY, THE FOURTH AREA IS A SMALLER AREA IN LAKE MALL RINGS ROAD. A LOT OF TREES IN THAT AREA. I THINK WE WERE LOOKING AT PLANTING 65 PLUS OR MINUS TREES IN THAT AREA.

NIENL THE FINAL AREA THAT WAS SUGGESTED AND THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY PLANTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES IS A CHALLENGE.

LAKE WOODLANDS, EVERYONE LOOKS AT WHY ISN'T THERE FOREST THERE, THERE'S A PAPE LINE THERE? WHETHER IT BE PIPELINE OR DRAINAGE, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THESE AREAS TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE OUR LIMITATIONS OF WHAT CAN AND CAN'T WE DO? WE DON'T WANT TO INTERFERE WITHWITH CENTERPOINT LINES. I TALKED TO YOUR FORESTRY TEAM LAST WEEK. I BRING THIS UP SO WE'RE AWARE WITH SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OF REFORESTATION ANYWHERE IN THE COMMUNITY NOT JUST FROM MIDDLE MEDIANS.

FROM AN OPERATIONAL STANDPOINT ALL OF THE STUFF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS BEING DONE THROUGH A CONTRACTOR, IE THROUGH THE TREES.

BUT WE DO HAVE AND DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF ENHANCING THE SURVIVABILITY OF THESE TREES IF WE ACTUALLY WATER THEM OURSELVES THROUGH DEDICATED OVER TIME AND MITCH HALL OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION. IT IS A LONG AND ARDUOUS PROCESS.

YOU'LL SEE THEM OUT THERE ON NIGHTS AS WELL AS WEEKENDS THERE.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE ON A ROLL. $410 FOR

WHAT? >> THAT IS TO GO OUT WITH A

WATER TRUCK. >> ALL

DAY? >> THAT IS ABOUT A FOUR, FIVE- HOUR SHIFT? OH, IT IS.

THANK YOU, MITCH.

>> BUT DOES IT COVER WHAT WE NEED TO COVER IN THAT AMOUNT OF

TIME? >> YES.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PEGGING ON 500 TREES TO

WATER. >> SO THE WHOLE NEW PLANTING -- THESE ARE ALL THE NEW PLANTINGS IN ONE

DAY. >> WELL, THAT IS A STATEMENT TO SAY IF WE WERE TO PLANT 500 TREES, THIS WOULD BE THE COST.

WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE PLANTING ANY TREES, BUT IT'S SOME SORT OF BENCHMARK COST SO YOU CAN KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE IF YOU WERE TO APPROVE SOMETHING, THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME ADDITIONAL DOLLARS. IF YOU DECIDED 250 TREES, IT WOULD PROBABLY BE $205, TO GIVE YOU SOME LEVEL OF

UNDERSTANDING. >> I CAN TELL YOU, CHRIS, I WANT TO TAKE MY HAT OFF TO YOU GUYS HOW FAST YOU ACTED ON WOODLANDS PARKWAY, ON VINE MITIGATION IN

[00:55:01]

THAT AREA AND REFORESTATION, AND ESPECIALLY YESTERDA I DROVE ENTERING GROGENS MILL. BUT TO SEE THE SIZE OF SOME OF THOSE TREES BACK THERE, I HAD THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE WOODLANDS RESORT TELL ME I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE SIZE OF THE TREES BACK THERE.

YOU NEVER SAW AND SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON.

AND TO SEE THEY'VE BEEN SAVED IS GREAT.

HATS OFF TO YOU ON THOSE. >> APPRECIATE THAT.

AND IN THE AUDIENCE HERE WE'VE GOT MITCH HALL, OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, AND MAVERICK KILLIAN WHO IS ONE OF OUR STREET SCAPE SUPERVISORS AND HE OVERSEES THE FORESTRY GROUP.

>> CHAIRMAN YOUR IDEA OF THE SIGNAGE IS BRILLIANT. IT HELPS ME KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, AND I SUPPOSE IT HELPS MANY OF THE RESIDENTS, SO I'D LIKE TO CONTINUE THE

SIGNAGE. >> COMMUNICATIONS IS ALSO A GOOD JOB AT SHOWING VIDEO CONTENT. I MET WITH COMMISSIONER WHEELER THIS MORNING JUST TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO HERE, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE ON THIS DAIS AND EVERYONE OUT -- THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WATCHING TONIGHT AND EVERYONE IN OUR AUDIENCE UNDERSTANDS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING -- I WOULD PREFER TAKING ACTION ON TONIGHT. THIS IS A RESEARCH PROJECT THAT WE NEED TO HAND WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THE COUNTY.

AND COMMISSIONER WHEELER AND HIS TEAM ARE WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH. THEY ARE LEFT IN A SITUATION. WE ALL HAVE BUDGET CYCLES.

THEY GOT LEFT IN A PRETTY BAD BUDGET CYCLE SITUATION AND TAKING OVER THE PRECINCT. SO THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND, BUT THEY'RE WILLING TO HELP WITH TRAFFIC, WHICH IS A HUGE DEAL. IF THEY HAVE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY HAVE, THEY HAVE A LOT MORE EQUIPMENT THAN WE DO TO USE TO MITIGATE SOME OF THESE VINE AREAS OR TREES THAT ARE DEADWOOD BE HELPFUL. BUT I THINK WE NEED TO FIND SMALL POCKETS, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ALL THIS. I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK -- REALLY, REALLY LOOK AND WE'VE GOT SUCH A PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY OF HOW WE CAN GET AREAS SPONSORED BY COMPANIES OR CORPORATIONS OR PEOPLE TO PLANT TREES, AND IT'S NOT ON THE TAXPAYER DOLLAR ALL THE TIME.

IF WE CAN HELP MANAGE THE SITUATION, BUT LOOKING AT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY PERSIST WOULD BE A GREAT ADDITION TO OUR COMMUNITY SO WE'RE NOT USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON THIS. BUT IF WE DON'T PROTECT OUR FORESTS AND OUR NATURAL BEAUTY ESPECIALLY AT OUR ENTRY POINTS, I SUBMIT THESE AREAS GRANTED SOME ARE BIGGER THAN OTHERS. BUT IF YOU LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM THEY'RE ALL ENTRY POINTS TO OUR COMMUNITY, EXIT POINTS OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

CAN WE DO LITTLE PIECES AT A TIME? MAYBE DOWN THE ROAD. BUT YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE AREAS LIKE THE HAYSTACKS THAT DR. SEKULA- GIBBS BRILLIANTLY NAMED, THAT'S NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR OUR COMMUNITY. IT'S REALLY, REALLY NOT BECAUSE IT'S REALLY ACTUALLY KILLED A LOT OF TREES, BUT IT'S ALSO EDUCATION WITH THE COUNTRY CLUB -- I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE GM OF THE COUNTRY CLUB TODAY ABOUT THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF PROBLEMS ON THE COURSE THERE.

I'VE SHOWN DIRECTOR EISSLER AND NELSON THE SAME THING ON THAT, SO HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE WE'RE SAVING TREES EVERY WAY WE CAN AND GETTING A COMMUNITY EFFORT. I WANT TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN ACTIVATE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST BE A RESPONSIBILITY. I THINK IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME RESEARCH, LEGWORK, PUTTING SOME HEADS TOGETHER HOW WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT IF WE CAN HAVE LITTLE AREAS WE CAN WORK WITH OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER TO BEAUTIFY OUR AREA I THINK WILL BE IMPORTANT.

I THINK THE RUDD IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH.

A PROJECT THEY HAVE ON WOODLANDS PARKWAY AND GROGENS MILL HAS COME IN UNDER BUDGET, WE UNDERSTAND. AND POSSIBLY USING THOSE FUNDS.

THEY'RE DOING GREAT THERE AND MAYBE CAN HELP US IN CERTAIN AREAS. I DON'T KNOW, WE'LL SEE.

>> HEY, CHRIS, BEHIND OUR HOMES IF WE KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF THOSE FINES, CAN WE GET EDUCATED ON HOW WE CAN REMOVE THEM, OR ARE THEY SO MASSIVE IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE BY A

PROFESSIONAL? >> YOU CAN REMOVE THEM.

SO WE HAVE -- TECHNICALLY FOR THE TAX ORDERS YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TOUCH ANYTHING ON THE LAND.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS TRY TO CARVE OT A CAVEAT TO SAY IF YOU WANT TO REMOVE 3 TO 4 FEET BEHIND YOUR HOME IN A TOWNSHIP OWNED RESERVE BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE OKAY WITH THE VINES.

WHILE THEY MAY NOT BE THE BEST FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THEY SEE THAT AS A BENEFIT TO BLOCK, SCREEN TYPE OF THING, SO WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT. WHILE OTHER PEOPLE ARE, LIKE, I DON'T WANT IT CREEPING INTO MY YARD, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. SO WE GIVE THAT AN OPTION.

WE DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF GOING THROUGH 1,500 MILES OF LINEAR FENCE OF EVERYBODY'S BACKYARD TO DO THAT, SO WE WORK ON THAT.

WHAT THE TEAM DOES WITH MIDGE AND MAVERICK, AND JOHN IS REALLY TAKE INQUIRIES ABOUT VINES

[01:00:02]

AND REALLY START TARGETING AND REALLY START PLANNING A YEAR IN ADVANCE TO SAY WHERE ARE THE ISSUES? AND WE'RE ACTUALLY WORK ON OUR INTEGRATED FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN. WE HAVEN'T GOT IT READY FOR YOU, BUT HOW CAN WE MOVE -- WE WERE ON A CYCLE BUT WE'RE ALSO HOTSHOTING AROUND AND TRYING TO REALIGN EVERYTHING SO WE CAN GET TO AREAS IN A MORE ROUTINE AREA.

THE REAL CHALLENGE BECOMES IF WE HAVE REALLY, REALLY WET YEARS. IT JUST EXPLODES AND YOU'RE NEVER CATCHING UP ON THOSE

VINES. >> OKAY.

IF THERE IS AN OPTION FOR US -- I'VE TRIED BEFORE E. EVEN WITH HATCHETS, THEY REALLY GO FAR DOWN INTO THE GROUND. MAYBE WE CAN PUT AN EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR ON OR MAYBE WE CAN DO A VIDEO ON APPROPRIATE WAYS TO TRY TO GET RID OF THIS SPECIES. I DON'T KNOW, I JUST FEEL LIKE WE -- WE HAVE A LOT OF US THAT ARE WILLING TO DO THAT IF WE KNOW

HOW. >> I'VE GOT A PICTURE OF RICHARD WITH THE SHOVEL EARLIER. HE'S READY TO GO.

>> HIS SHOVEL WAS CLEAN.

>> WE DO HAVE CLASSES WE OFFER

FOR MAINTENANCE. >> THERE'S A TON OF CLASSES.

THE GROUP DOES A GREAT JOB WITH EDUCATION ON THERE AND A LOT OF NATIVE HABITATS, A LOT OF NATURALIST CLASSES AND SO ON THAT DO A LOT OF THAT TEACHING, AND WE CAN REALLY LOOK AT WHAT THAT PROGRAM IS, YOU KNOW, WITH THE GROUP IN THE BACK THERE ON WHAT IS THE RIGHT PLACE, WHAT IS THE RIGHT LOCATION? WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH IT, WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM?

>> DIRECTOR NELSON, I DO THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA AND WE CAN LOOK AT SOMETHING SPECIFIC TO

THAT. >> A SHORT VIDEO, 2, 3 MINUTE VIDEO ON REMOVING A VINE FROM A

TREE. >> AND WHAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO

DO. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, FEEDBACK? DR. SNYDER, YOU HAVE ANYTHING OR YOU HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM?

>> I THINK YOU MADE THE COMMENT THAT YOU WERE NOT LOOKING TO -- FOR RECOMMENDATION TO FUND THIS THIS EVENING, SO I DON'T HAVE A COMMENT.

>> I THINK THIS IS STEP ONE. I GAVE FIVE AREAS I THOUGHT WERE IMPORTANT. I ENCOURAGE MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO ALSO LOOK OR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WATCHING ONLINE. IF YOU SEE AN AREA THAT NEEDS TROUBLE, LET US KNOW WHAT THEY ARE BECAUSE AS WE COME IN, BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS HOW WE CAN PARTNER WITH OUR COUNTY PARTNERS, AND I CAN TELL YOU HATS OFF TO COMMISSIONER WHEELER AND HIS TEAM. THEY ARE DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE AND WILLING TO REALLY ROLL THEIR SLEEVES UP AND HELP US IN A WAY WE'VE NOT HAD IN THE PAST, AND I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO HELPING US. BECAUSE WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE SIDES ALL WE WANT, BUT IF THE CENTER MEDIAN IS FALLING APART, IT'S NOT GOING TO LOOK GOOD, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITY LOOKS OUTSTANDING AND

GREAT. >> I AGREE WITH THAT TO IDENTIFY THOSE MAJOR THOROUGHFARES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. BUT MY CONCERN IS REALLY TWO-FOLD. IT'S THE AMOUNT OF UNBUDGETED AMENDED FUNDS WE HAVE APPROVED SINCE JANUARY 1ST TO MARCH 31ST, AND WOULD LIKE THAT -- IT'S NOT ON THIS WEEK'S OR NEXT WEEK'S AGENDA, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO KNOW THE AMOUNT THAT WAS APPROVED THAT WAS UNBUDGETED PRIOR TO THE STRATEGIC PLANNING OR DURING THE STRATEGIC PLANNING BECAUSE IT'S SIZABLE.

>> YEAH, I AGREE. WE ALSO HAVE DONE THAT IN A PAST, BUT SOMETIMES THINGS POP UP THAT ARE NOT IN OUR -- IN OUR PURVIEW.

>> I'LL GIVE YOU ONE -- A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES.

THIS BOARD SAW WHAT HAPPENED IN CALIFORNIA WITH THE WILDFIRES.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF FOREST LAND AND THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE WILDFIRES, SO WE DECIDED TO FUND A $640,000 BRUSH TRUCK FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THAT, WHICH I THINK IS MONEY

WELL-SPENT. >> I'M NOT BEING CRITICAL.

I JUST THINK IT'S A POINT OF INFORMATION THAT WE SHOULD KNOW, AND THAT'S WHY AT OUR LAST BOARD MEETING WHEN WE HAD AN ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY LIGHTING VOTED AGAINST IT BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT HAD THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE SPENT SINCE THE FIRST OF JANUARY.

>> IF I MAY BEFORE WE GET TOO FAR OFF TOPIC, WE CAN EITHER SPECIFICALLY AGENDA THIS BUT WE HAVE SPOKEN THAT WE ARE GOING

[01:05:02]

TO HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THAT SO WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE WHERE WE STAND.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOT JUST FOR THIS BUDGET INITIATIVE BUT ALL MAJOR PROJECTS GOING

FORWARD. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

YES, SIR.

>> I'LL JUST BRING IT HOME HERE I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT.

THIS IS A NEED. AND I AGREE THIS SHOULDN'T BE ALL ON OUR SHOULDERS, SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO REACH OUT AND PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND CORPORATIONS.

AND I'M IN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS REPORT. AND CHRIS, THANK YOU FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AND DOING THE RESEARCH TO PUT THE NUMBERS TO

PAPER. >> GREAT JOB, CHRIS.

VERY, VERY INVOLVED.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION FROM DIRECTOR I.C.E..ER.

DO I HAVE A SECOND?

>> YOU JUST DON'T HEAR ME. I

SECONDED. >> MY BAD.

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

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR RESPOND BY SAYING AYE.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

AGENDA ITEM 14 RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON AN UPDATE REGARDING THE VILLAGE VILLAGE PRESIDENTS' COUNCIL. I CALL ON TREASURER AND LOCAL REFORESTATION EXPERT DIRECTOR

FRANKS. >> WE HAD A VERY GOOD MEETING MONDAY. WE HAD ALL PRESIDENTS ATTEND.

WE ALSO HAD VISITORS FROM VARIOUS VILLAGE BOARDS THAT HAVE BEEN ASKED TO THIS MEETING, AND MONIQUE PRESENTED THE 2024 BUDGET RESULTS AND ALSO THE 2025 GOING FORWARD.

KAREN WAS AND CHRIS AS WELL. IT WAS A GOOD EVENING.

THEY HAD -- THE PRESIDENTS HAD A GREAT DISCUSSION ON THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE, AND WE'VE ALSO SET A DATE WHICH WE'VE NOW COMPLETED ON THE PRESIDENTS COUNCIL TO TOUR THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND LIBRARY, WHICH WE DID LAST MONDAY, AND THEY WERE ALL VERY, VERY IMPRESSED AND PLEASED WITH WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN THERE. SO THAT'S MY

REPORT. >> THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

THE NEW COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER AND LIBRARY IS TRULY INCREDIBLE, SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT OPENING UP. IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT, GREAT ADDITION TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. CAN YOU TELL US HOW FAR ALONG IT IS NOW.

>> THEY'RE LOOKING AT AUGUST SHAKY. THAT WAS AS OF MONDAY. THAT MAY HAVE CHANGED AS OF

MONDAY. >> A LOT OF

WORK. >> IT'S AROUND THE

CORNER. >> ANY OTHER QESTIONS? IF NOT, DO I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO ACCEPT THE REPORT?

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECONDED BY DR. EISSLER -- IT'S A TIE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES. DR. EISSLER JUST GAVE YOU A NEW NICKNAME, SHOVEL READY FRANKS. I LIKE

[15. 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;]

IT. >> TREES, DRAINAGE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AGENDA ITEMITEM 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 GOVERN

[16. Reconvene in public session;]

[17. Receive, consider and act upon an amendment to the Economic Development Partnership Agreement; ]

>> IT'S 9:06 P.M. CALL THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO THE REPORT. OKAY, COMING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE A ONE TIME INVESTMENT TO THE $50 MILLION WOODLANDS AREA PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP NEW MARKETING STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES FOR ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT. >> SO

MOVED. >>

SECOND. >> MOVED BY DIRECTOR

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

AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED.