[00:00:01]
WELCOME TO THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING.
WE DO NOT HAVE SOMEONE WHO PRESIGNED UP TO GIVE THE INVOCATION.
I WAS GOING TO ASK DIRECTOR NELSON IF HE WOULDN'T MIND LEADING US IN PRAYER TODAY.
YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOT WORKING.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: HI, GORDY.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: YES, YOURS IS WORKING.
DIRECTOR NELSON, ONE MORE TIME.
>> I'M SEEING HE IS UNMUTED BUT NO VOL MICROPHONE.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: HE MAY HAVE HIT THE WRONG BUTTON WHEN THE USE INTERNET AUDIO.
THAT'S WHY I HAD TO BACK OUT AND COME BACK IN A SECOND TIME.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ALL RIGHT, DIRECTOR NELSON.
YOU MAY WANT TO COME OUT AND COME BACK IN AND SELECT USE THE INTERNET AUDIO.
DO WE HAVE ANOTHER DIRECTOR WHO WOULDN'T MIND MAKING OR DOING THE INVOCATION THIS
[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;]
AFTERNOON?>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYER.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU IN GRATITUDE FOR MANY BENEFITS YOU HAVE PROVIDED TO OURSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ASK YOUR CONTINUED WATCHFULNESS AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT OUR DAILY LIVES.
ESPECIALLY AS WE GATHER HERE AS A BOARD.
PLEASE DIRECT US WITH YOUR WISDOM, THE WISDOM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND YOUR GUIDANCE TO DO ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE GOOD AND FAVORABLE AND PLEASING IN YOUR EYES.
WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU PROTECT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AS THEY CONTINUE TO SERVE OU COMMUNITY AND DO BATTLE WITH COVID-19, AS WELL OTHER DISEASES AND TRAUMAS THAT AFFECT DAILY LIVES.
WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU PROTECT OUR STAFF AS WELL AS OUR FAMILY, OUR COWORKERS AND ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS THROUGHO WOODLANDS, AND TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
WE GIVE PRAISE TO YOUR HOLY NAME.
WE THANK YOU FOR SPARING US MUCH OF THE RAVAGES OF THE WEATHER DISTURBANCES WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST LITTLE WHILE.
ASK YOUR FURTHER PROTECTION AGAINST THEM IN THE FUTURE.
THROUGH THIS, THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS, WE COME TO YOU IN PRAYER.
WE WILL NOW DO THE PLEDGES TO OUR FLAGS.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF TH STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION U GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW THIS MEETING WAS POSTED 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE AND POSTED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIE TOWNSHIP OF THE OFFICE
[2. Call meeting to order;]
BUILDING AND ALSO ONLINE.THIS MEETING IS BEING HELD VIA VIDEO CONF ACCORDANCE WITH ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT BY GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT.
I'LL START WITH DIRECTOR BROWN.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: DIRECTOR MILNER?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: DIRECTOR NELSON?
[LAUGHTER] >> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: DIRECTOR RIESER, I SEE.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I'M HERE.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: PRESENT.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: DIRECTOR DR. ANN SNYDER?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WE'RE PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR.
[3. Receive, consider and act upon adoption of the meeting agenda;]
WE NEED MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.[00:05:04]
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT.
AGENDA ITEM 4, PUBLIC COMMENT.
[4. Public comment;* ]
PUBLIC COMMENT IS ALSO BEING HELD VIA CONFERENCE CALL.CALL-IN INSTRUCTIONS AND NUMBERS WERE PROVIDING WITH THE POSTING OF THIS MEETING.
WE WILL TAKE EACH CALLER IN THE ORDER THEY WERE RECEIVED AND WE ASK EACH CALLER IDENTIFY THEMSELVES WITH WHAT PART OF THE WOODLANDS THEY LIVE IN AND TRY TO KEEP THE COMMENTS TO AROUND THREE MINUTES.
WE WILL GO TO THE FIRST THE INBOUND BOX FOR THE FIRST CALLER.
>> WE HAVE TWO CALLERS AT THIS MOMENT.
IF YOU MIGHT BE MUTED -- >> CALLER: YES.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: YES, WE CAN.
MY NAME IS NED CHAPMAN, RESIDENT OF EAST SHORE.
I'M ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE GROGAN'S MI ASSOCIATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY'S PROPOSED REPLAT OF MITCHELL ISLAND.
SPECIFICALLY, 19 CUSTOM HOMES BEING CHAN HIGH-DENSITY TOWNHOUSES.
NOW A NUMBER OF CITIZENS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS PROPOSED RE-PLAT OF MITCHELL ISLAND IN LAKE WOODLANDS.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS TO DATE OVER 200 RESIDENTS OF EAST SHORE, WINWARD COVE AND WEST STYLE SIGNED A LETTER OF OPPOSITION.
ADDITIONALLY AT MONDAY NIGHT'S GROGAN'S M VILLAGE ASSOCIATION MEETING, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THIS NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP APPEARED BEFORE OUR VILLAGE ASSOCIATION ON THE 21ST.
AND I THINK I CAN STRONGLY SPEAK FOR O ASSOCIATION THAT WE SUPPORT THEM WHOLE HEARTEDLY.
FOUNDATIONALLY I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT A RE-PLAT FROM APPROVED 19 LOT OF THE CUSTOM HOMES TO 58 HIGH-DENSITY NONCUSTO DEVELOPMENT TOWNHOMES IS BY ANY MEASURE A EXTREME REACH.
IT APPEARS TO BE LARGELY ECONOMIC D SHORT-SIGHTED.
NOW I THINK VERY BRIEFLY THERE ARE TWO REA THE WOODLANDS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY TO WITHDRAW THEIR APPLICATION.
FIRST, HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING ON THIS SMALL ISLAND WILL OVER-BURDEN THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND HAVE AN ADVERSE ENVIRONM IMPACT.
LIMITED NOTICE WAS GIVEN BY THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY.
IT APPEARS THAT THEIR APPLICATION FOR THE RE-PLAT WAS SUBMITTED ON JULY 27.
YET, ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO OUT OF ADVERSELY IMPACTED FAMILIES, ONLY 13 WERE NOTICED.
THEY WERE ASKED, THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE ASKED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT HAD BEEN DONE, WHICH THEY COULDN'T ANSWER.
THEY ALSO SEEMED LARGELY UNAWARE THAT A PORTION OF THE ISLAND IS PROTECTED BY A FEDERAL FISH AND WILDLIFE PERMIT.
MOREOVER, YOU KNOW, WE ALL LOVE THE WOODLANDS.
THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE THIS EVENING.
THIS WILL CERTAINLY BE AN EYESORE ARCHITECTCALLY -- ARCHITECTLY FOR WHAT IS THE CENTER PIECE OF WHAT IS OUR COMMUNITY.
LAKE CONROE SPILLWAY RELEASED A GREAT DE WATER IN HARVEY.
AS WE ALL KNOW, THE LEVELS IN LAKE WOODL GREATLY.
PORTIONS OF THE ISLAND FOR FLOODED.
TRUELUX WAS UNDER WATER AT ONE POINT.
CONSEQUENTLY, THE INITIAL LAND USE DESIGNATION OF 2012 CLEARLY DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS PROPOSED REPLAT AND THE D.S.C.
SHOULD NOT APPROVE THE WOODLANDS COMPANY APPLICATION TO CHANGE IT NOW.
[00:10:04]
SECONDLY AND IN CONCLUDING BECAUSE I KNOW I'M PRESSING THE TIME LIMIT HERE, A FAMILY OF AMERICAN BALD EAGLES HAVE A WELL-ESTABLISHED NEST WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED YARDS OF THIS PROPOSED, WHAT IS NOW CALLED AN URBAN DEVELOPMENT.IT WENT FROM GARDEN DISTRICT TO URBAN.
THESE EAGLES HUNT AND ROOST THERE DAILY.
THEY ARE VERY WELL KNOWN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THERE IS ALSO SOME RESIDENTS BELIEVE THERE IS A SECOND NEST.
THE FIRST NEST IS UP BY THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
WE BELIEVE A SECOND NEST, WE ARE LOOKING FOR IT NOW ON MITCHELL ISLAND.
THERE IS ALSO SOMEONE HAD THE FORESIGHT BACK IN AUGUST OF 2003 TO SECURE A FEDERAL FISH AND WILDLIFE PERMIT FOR THE EAST SIDE WOODLANDS.
THIS PROVIDES AMONG OTHER THINGS A 7 SHORELINE PRESERVE FOR THE EAGLES.
AND A REQUIREMENT THAT 60% OF THE TREES GREATER THAN 16 INCHES IN DIAMETER BE PROTECTED.
IT IS JUST FRANKLY NOT CLEAR HOW THIS RE-PLAT CAN GO FORWARD WITHOUT IMPACTING OUR EAGLES.
INCREDIBLY, YOU KNOW, THE WOODLANDS COMPANY ACTUALLY USES PHOTOGRAPHS AND OF THESE EAGLES IN SOME OF THEIR ADVERTISING.
ON LAST CHECK, ONLY 156 PAIRS OF BREEDIN EXIST IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
THESE EAGLES, A PAIR OF THEM IN THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR PRODUCED ONLY FOUR EGGS.
USUALLY ONLY TWO OF THOSE SURVIVE TO HATCHLING.
SO RESPECTFULLY SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE GROGAN'S MILL VILLAGE ASSOCIATION AND A NUMBER OF THE IMPACTED CITIZENS AND BOY SCOUT TROOPS AND GIRL SCOUT TROOPS AND PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT THE WOODLANDS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY WITHDRAW THE APPLICATION OR AT LEAST SHARPEN THEIR PENCIL AND CRAFT SOMETHING THAT WORKS AND WE HOPE THAT OFFICIALS IN THE D.S.C.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THANK YOU, MR. CHAPMAN.
WE WILL GO TO OUR NEXT CALLER.
IS OUR NEXT CALLER ON THE LINE?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THERE YOU GO.
>> CALLER: MY NAME IS STAN HEWITT.
I LIVE IN THE EAST SHORE ON NORTH BAY AND MAJESTY ROW.
I'M ONE OF THE RESIDENTS WHO WILL BE WELL WITHIN THE IMPACT AREA THAT HUGHES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS SEEKING A VARIANCE THE RESIDENTIAL DENSITY ON THE ISLAND.
OBVIOUSLY THAT WILL COME WITH TRIPLE THE CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC.
AND IN PERPETUITY, TRIPLE THE RESIDENTIA GOING TO AND FROM ALL OF OUR HOMES ON -- THERE IS ONLY ONE ROAD ONTO AND ISLAND.
I WON'T REPEAT THE GREAT COMMENTS A ECOLOGICAL AND WILDLIFE IMPACTS THAT NED THROUGH.
I WOULD SAY IN THE ASSOCIATION MEETING A AGO TUESDAY, THAT MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS BOUGHT IN HERE WITH AN UNDERSTA THE ISLAND WOULD BE DEVELOPED AS AN LIMITED OCCUPANCY ISLAND.
THAT IT WOULD BE GATED AND A LOW-DENSITY RESIDENCE AREA.
HUGHES DEVELOPMENT COMPANY IS VERY SUBTLY ALMOST AROUND THE INTEREST OF THE EAST SHORE COMMUNITY, TRYING TO MAXIMIZE VALUE ON ISLAND BE TAKING IT FROM THE EAST SHORE RESIDENTS.
THEY SPEAK IN TERMS OF THE BENEFIT TO THE NEW RESIDENTS AND CREATING VALUE THAT WAY.
BUT THE REALITY IS IT IS GOING TO DIMINIS QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WHO CAME HERE, BOUGHT HERE, BUILT HERE AND HAVE MAD THEIR HOMES AND THE FAMILIES HERE FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS.
[00:15:01]
THEY HAVE SAID IT'S NOT AN ECONOMIC DECISION, SO THIS BOARD CAN EASILY FIND THAT IT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMM NECESSARILY IN THEIR INTEREST TO APPROVE REQUEST.>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ALL RIGHT, STAN.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE FINISHED.
I HAD A LOT OF THE SAME COMMENTS THAT NED HAD BUT I DON'T NEED TO GO INTO THEM.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ANYBODY MIGHT HAVE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: SO AS A MATTER OF POLICY, ACTUALLY, THE STATE DOESN'T ALLOW US TO ENTER INTO DIALOGUE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO RECEIVE INFORMATION.
AND THEN WE ARE ALSO ALLOWED TO CLARIFY ANY STATEMENTS OF FACT.
I WILL LET YOU KNOW THAT THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD DOES NOT HAVE AN APPROVAL POSITION ON THIS.
THAT ACTUALLY WOULD GO TO THE CITY OF HO PLANNING ZONE AND THEN THE D.S.C., WHICH IS A SEPARATE BOARD.
WE DO APPRECIATE YOU CALLING IN AND GIV CONCERNS.
I KNOW ALL OF US, OR MOST OF US WILL DO WHAT WE CAN TO BE AS HELPFUL AS WE CAN DO TO THE RESIDENTS.
>> CALLER: THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALL.
ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO THE CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY THEY HAVE TO DO COMMUNITY IMPACT ASSESSMENTS, MITIGATI PLANS, PROPER ON ISLAND AMENITIES AND WOULD BE WELCOME BY HUNDREDS OF EXISTING RESIDENTS IN THE EAST SHORE COMMUNITY.
ALL OF THOSE WERE LACKING A WEEK AGO AT THE ASSOCIATION MEETING.
BUT THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY COMMENTS.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: MUCH APPRECIATED.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER CALLER INS THE QUEUE?
SPELLED JUST LIKE "HOUSTON." >> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ALL RIGHT.
I AM REPRESENTING 180 EAST SHORE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE SIGNED A LETTER OF OPPOSITION TO THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATI REQUEST FOR RE-PLAT ON MITCHELL ISLAND.
AS YOU KNOW FROM 19 ONE-ACRE LOTS TO 58 HIGH DENSITY LOTS.
ENVISION A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD WITH FAMIL PLAYING IN THE PARKS AND PEOPLE WALKING THEIR ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE WOODLANDS.
GRAND CHILDREN LOOK UP IN TO THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKY IN AWE OF THE EAGLES AND EAGLETS ENJOYING THE PLAY GROUND.
NOW ENVISION THE IMPACT OF BRINGING THE URBAN CITY TO THE ISLAND ON THE EAST SHORE.
THE HOUSES STACKED LIKE MATCHES IN A MATCH BOOK.
HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION IS PROPOSING DRACONIAN CHANGES TO OUR BEAUTIFUL ISLAND AND COMMUNITY.
THE EAST SHORE RESIDENTS VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION VARIANCE REQUEST TO CHANGE THE COMMUNITY LANDSCAPE AND CULTURE FROM A SELECT FEW CUSTOM HOMES ON LAKE WOODLANDS MITCHELL ISLAND WITH TIGHTLY CONTROLLED STANDARDS AND ARCHITECTURAL STYLES TO A SIGNIFIC INCREASE AND DENSELY PACKED AREA THAT IS IN CONFLICT WITH THE INTENT AND THE DETAILS OF THE 2012 AMENDMENT TO THE INITIAL LAND USE DESIGNATION AGREEMENT.
WE ARE GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONSTR IMPACT AND THE CHANGES IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH CLEAR-CU THE CREATION OF THE NEW PATHWAYS THAT COULD ADVERSELY IMPACT THE NESTING AND THE HUNTING ENVIRONMENT OF THE PERMIT PROTECTED BALD EAGLES.
THIS ADDITIONAL UNPLANNED HIGH-DENSITY CONSTRUCTION ON THE ISLAND WILL EXACERBATE THE IMPACT FROM THE THREE OTHER ONGOING HIGH-DENSITY PROJECTS IN THE EAST SHORE.
CREATING CAPACITY OVERLOAD OF THE COMMUN INFRASTRUCTURE.
ROADS, PARKING, PARKS, CLUBHOUSE AND POOL.
THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION VARIANCE R DOES NOT HAVE A SUFFICIENT DETAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE FULL EXTENT OF THE IMPA THE ISLAND AND THE EAST SHORE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH
[00:20:04]
US.AND THE UTTER DISREGARD FOR INFRASTRUCTURE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR WAY OF LIFE IN THE WOODLANDS.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THANK YOU, MS. HOUSTON.
SPELLED LIKE "HOUSTON." WE WILL TAKE OUR NEXT CALLER.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: CALLER, ARE YOU THERE? STAR-6 TO UNMUTE.
I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF EAST SHORE.
WE LIVE ON JUST WITHIN BLOCKS OF THE AFFECTED AREA.
I GUESS MY QUESTION IS IF I UNDERSTOOD EARLIER THIS COMMITTEE IS NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS IN OUR EFFORTS TO BLOCK THIS, SO I GUESS I ECHO THE SENTIMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED BY THE PREVIOUS THREE CALLERS.
I GUESS MY QUESTION IS ONE OF ADVICE FRO COMMITTEE.
WHAT THE RESIDENTS SHOULD DO IN THE EVENT THAT THIS EFFORT IS SUCCESSFUL BY HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION AND THEY ARE ABLE TO RE-PL FOR 58 RESIDENTS? I HAVE NOT MET ONE NEIGHBOR IN THIS WHOLE SUPPORTS THIS.
MY QUESTION IS IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO HE THIS MOVES BEYOND THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHAT ARE OUR OTHER RECOURSES?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I'M NOT ALLOWED BY LAW TO ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE.
I CAN MAKE SOME FACTUAL RESTATEMENTS.
THIS BOARD DOESN'T HAVE APPROVAL OF THE RE-PLATTING IS WHAT I WAS STATING EARLIER.
AND THAT THE APPROVAL GOES TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY TO THE DESIGN STANDARDS COMMITTEE WHICH IS A SEPARATE FROM THIS.
WE CAN BE HELPFUL, WE JUST CAN'T GET IN TO DIALOGUE RIGHT NOW.
SO I'M RESTRICTED IN WHAT I CAN SAY IN COMMENT.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THE RULES THAT WE HAVE TO ADHERE TO.
I THINK I CAN UNDERSTAND THE MESSAGE TH DELIVERING.
I JUST WANT TO ADD MY VOICE TO THOSE OF TH CONCERNED RESIDENTS HERE.
WE THINK THIS WOULD BE A DISASTROUS DECISION IF IT'S ALLOWED TO GO FORWARD.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THANK YOU, SIR.
DO WE HAVE ADDITIONAL CALLERS?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ALL RIGHT, CALLER.
I'M A REALTOR AND A RESIDENT OF EAST SHORE.
I SELL A LOT OF HOUSES IN EAST SHORE.
AND I KNOW THE PROBLEMS THAT WILL BECOME HUGE PROBLEMS BOTH WITH TRAFFIC AND WITH PRICING OF HOMES, ESPECIALLY THOSE ON TIMBERLOC OF THE CHANGE OF PLANS.
AT ONE TIME I WENT TO A MEETING ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WITH TIM WELDBUS AND THE OTHER WOODLANDS EXECUTIVES, I GUESS.
THERE WAS A PLAN FROM FRANKEL BUILDERS T LOTS.
IT WAS A WELL LAID-OUT PLANS AND A COUP REALTORS WHO CALLED THERE.
WE DID THIS AND WE WENT OVER THE WHOLE SITUATION WITH HIM AND WE SAID YES, WHICH WOULD PROBABLY BE THE WAY TO GO.
WITH THE 25 HOMES THAT FRANKEL WAS GOING COMMITTED TO DO.
I DON'T KNOW WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THOSE P SUDDENLY WE HAVE GOTTEN TO 59 FROM EVEN 25.
SO WE HAVE GONE FROM 19 TO 25 TO 59 PLANS.
WE HAVE PRODUCTION HOMES BASICALLY WITH DARLING, TO BROTHERS AND PARTNERS AND BUILDERS IS A PRODUCTION BUILDER, TOO.
A BIG ISLAND THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE -- I CLIENT AT THE TIME WILLING TO PAY $4 MILLION THE LOTS.
SO, I JUST WANTED TO ADD MY CONCERN AS A REALTOR AND RESIDENT TO THE WHOLE SITUATION THAT IS NOW COMING UP.
[00:25:01]
WE WILL GO TO OUR NEXT CALLER.
>> CALLER: HELLO? HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: YES, MA'AM.
I WAS NOT GOING TO CALL THIS EVENING AS I KNOW, I HAVE SEEN THE AGENDA.
BUT AFTER HEARING THE PHONE CALLS OF EVERYONE THAT LIVE ON EAST SHORE, AND THEY ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE REDEVELO HOWARD HUGHES AND MITCHELL ISLAND.
I HOPE YOU CAN HEAR LOUDLY THE TOWNSHIP IS ALWAYS HERE TO HELP US.
YOU HAVE ALWAYS DONE EVERYTHING TO HELP US AND HEAR OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, ABOUT THE WAY WE WANT THINGS DEVELOPED OR WHAT LITTLE IS THERE STILL TO DEVELOP IN THE TOWNSHIP.
BUT IT'S ANNOYING AND FRUSTRATING WHEN WE KNOW THAT THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AS A SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICT CANNOT R DEFEND US AND BE OUT THERE FOR US TO, FOR ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THE WORDS.
YOU HAVE TO SAY REPRESENTING THE RESIDENTS.
ABOUT OVERDEVELOPMENT AND GETTING IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT THEY MENTION WITH THE EAGLES.
JUST LIKE WE DID WITH THE WOODPECKERS IN THE JONES STATE FOREST.
SO PEOPLE NEED TO LISTEN HARD.
YOU NEED TO TAKE CONTROL OF OUR GOVERNANCE.
YES, SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT WANT TO BE A CITY.
BUT WE NEED TO PUT SOMETHING ABOUT BECOMING A CITY IN ORDER TO CONTROL OUR FUTURE, CONTROL OUR ROADS AND HAVE MORE TO SAY AS OF WH LEFT TO BE DEVELOPED WHEN IT COMES TO HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION.
SORRY, I HAVE NOT BEEN POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.
BUT I DO, MY HEART ACHES FOR THE REPLATES OF WHAT THEY ARE PLANNING FROM THE 59 HIGH DENSITY HOMES.
I HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP EVERYONE S OVERDEVELOPED.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THANK YOU, ANNA.
WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT CALLER.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> CALLER: MY NAME IS JULIE TOLTON AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE OVERBUILDING NEAR TOWN CENTER.
I'M CONCERNED SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE OPPOSITION.
I'M CONCERNED WITH THE VARIANCE THAT IS GOING TO REPLAT THE ISLAND AT LAKE WOODLANDS KNOWN AS MITCHELL'S ISLAND.
RECENTLY WE HAVE BUILT TWO LARGE RESIDENTIAL TOWERS IN HUGHES LANDING AND ANOTHER ONE IN TIMBERLOCK AND SIX PINES.
IF WE CONTINUE TO BUILD SECTIONS OF MULTI-DENSE HOUSING I'M AFRAID WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE FULL RAMIFICATIONS OF THE TRAF ON LAKE WOODLANDS AND GROGAN'S MILL.
I'M OPPOSED TO THE VARIANCE AND I'M CONCERNED IF WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND CLEAR-CUT THE TREES WE WILL BE LOSING THE VEGETATION AND THE TREE BOUNDSRIES.
ISLAND IS SPECIFICALLY VULNERABLE TO OVERBUILDING BECAUSE IT'S THE HOME OF THE HERON EAGLES AND THE CRANES THAT POPULATE OUR LAKE.
WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO BUILD THE DENSE HOUS EXPECT THE GRIDLOCK ON LAKE WOODLANDS AND GROGAN'S MILL.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THANK YOU, MS. TOLTON.
WE WILL MOVE TO >> CALLER: SORRY.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: YOU'RE FINE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE FINISHED.
WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT CALLER.
IF WE HAVE ONE MORE CALLER IN THE QUEUE HAVE NO MORE CALLERS IN THE QUEUE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT AND MOVE TO ITEM FIVE.
[5. President / General Manager's Report;]
PRESIDENT AND THE GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT.WE ARE GOING TO BE -- WELL, I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO -- YOU ARE RIGHT.
WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO DEFER OUR PLANNE ITEM FIVE.
WE WERE GOING TO BE DOING HONORING AND WE'LL PREFER TO DO IT IN PERSON INSTEAD OF
[6. Receive, consider and act upon proclamations; ]
OVER ZOOM.RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE PROCLAMATIONS.
I WOULD LIKE FOR DIRECTOR NELSON TO R PROCLAMATION IN SUPPORT OF
THE "NATIONAL NIGHT OUT." >> DIRECTOR NELSON: BE IT PROCLAIMED: WHEREAS, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH THROUGH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
[00:30:02]
TOWN WATCH IS SPONSORING A UNIQUE, NATIONWI DRUG AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM ON OCTOBERS, 11, 2020, TITLED "NATIONA OUT"; AND WHEREAS, THE "NATIONAL NIGHT PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS OF THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, TO JOIN FORCES WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN PROMOTING COOPERATIVE, POLICE-COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS; AND WHEREAS, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PLAY A IN ASSISTING THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, THROUGH COMBINED CRIME, DRUG AND VIOLENCE EFFORTS IN THE WOODLANDS, AND SUPPORT "NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 2020" LOCALLY; WHEREAS, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ALL RESIDENTS WOODLANDS, TEXAS, ARE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND IMPACT THAT THEIR PARTICIPATION HAS UPON REDUCING CRIME, DRUGS AND VIOLENCE IN THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS; AND WHEREAS, THE POLICE-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY, AWARENESS AND COOPERATION ARE IMPORTANT THEMES OF THE "NATIONAL NIGHT OUT" PROGRAM; NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WOODLAND TOWNSHIP DOES HEREBY CALL UPON ALL RESIDENTS OF THE WOODLANDS TO JOIN THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP AND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TOWN WATCH IN SUPPORTING "NATIONAL NIGHT OUT" ON OCTOBER 11, THEREFORE, I, GORDY -- ON BEHALF OF GORDY BUNCH, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, "NATIONAL NIGHT OUT" IN THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP, TEXAS.>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR NELSON.
>> DIRECTOR NELSON: THANK YOU.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I HOPE EVERYBODY GETS OUT AND FOR PARTICIPATES.
LAST YEAR WE WON THE NATIONAL AWARD SO L IF WE CAN GET A REPEAT.
[ CONSENT AGENDA]
NOW GO TO ITEM AGENDA 7, CONSENT AGENDA.DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA? SO MOVED.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[8. Receive, consider and act upon emergency authorities related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and authorizing the President/General Manager to act in connection therewith;]
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA.
ITEM 8, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON E AUTHORITIES RELATEDDED TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER TO ACT IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
I'LL CALL UPON OUR GENERAL MANAGER, JEFF JONES.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN BUNCH AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
I THINK TONIGHT STAFF IS PREPARED TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT OPENING TOWN HALL OR HAVING BOARD MEETINGS IN PERSON.
SO, WE ARE PREPARED TO ASSIST YOU IN THA DISCUSSION.
I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN SOME INTEREST ABOUT HAVING BOARD MEETINGS GO BACK TO IN-PERSON ALLOWING TOWN HALL TO BE OPEN FOR SOME OF THE COMMITTEES.
SO STAFF IS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT HOW WE CAN DO THAT.
WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE AT THIS TIME.
I KNOW THAT SEVERAL DIRECTORS REQUESTED T BE A SUBJECT FOR THIS EVENING.
I'LL LET ANY DIRECTOR WHO WOULD LIKE TO START WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING OUR BOARD MEETINGS, H.O.A.
MEETINGS, COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND FACILITIES.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, IF I MAY, I HAVE ASKED OPENING UP TOWN HALL.
I HAVE SEEN THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES T STAFF HAS DONE WITH REGARD TO THE BOARD CHAMBERS.
SO I WOULD LIKE PRESIDENT JONES TO SHARE WITH US WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN THE TOWN HALL AS WELL AS IF THE VILLAGE ASSOCIAT TO RECONVENE IN THE TOWNSHIP OR IN OTHER BUILDINGS THAT WE OWN.
>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR SNYDER.
TO GIVE YOU A FLAVOR OF WHAT WE, OUR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE COMING IN TO TOWN HALL RIGHT NOW.
EACH MORNING THEY HAVE TO COME IN AND THEY TEMPERATURE CHECK, THEY FILL OUT A QUICK QUESTIONNAIRE ABOUT ANY POTENTIAL EXPOSURE THEY MIGHT HAVE, IF THEY'RE RUNNING A FEVER OR NOT.
ONCE THEY CLEAR THROUGH THE QUESTIONNAIRE, WE DO HAVE SEVERAL MACHINES SET UP SO YOU CAN GET YOUR TEMPERATURE CHECKED BEFORE YOU ENTER THE BUILDING.
IF YOU PASS THAT PROTOCOL, YOU ARE GIVEN TICKET THAT SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE PASSED YOUR PROTOCOL SCREENING FOR THE MORNING.
SO THEN YOU CAN ENTER AT ANY OTHER ENTRANCE THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING, THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
SO, THAT IS THE PROTOCOL WE HAVE IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEES.
[00:35:01]
IT HAS WORKED VERY WELL.WE HAVE THE FACILITIES AND THE MACHINES AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ENTRANCES IF THE BOARD WOULD CHOOSE TO GO BACK TO THE IN-PERSO MEETINGS.
SO WE WOULD ASK THAT THE PUBLIC FOLL PROTOCOL.
HAND SANITIZER AND SCREENING STATIONS THERE FOR THE TEMPERATURE CHECKS.
AS YOU WILL FIND IN MANY GOVERNMENT OFFICES RIGHT NOW.
SO WE HAVE THE PROTOCOLS IN PLACE.
WE CERTAINLY HAVE THE PHYSICAL SPACE SET THE SOCIAL DISTANCING.
SO I THINK THAT WE ARE IN A POSITION IF THE BOARD SO CHOOSES TO GO BACK TO IN-PERSON BOARD MEETINGS.
WE CERTAINLY THINK WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THE PUBLIC IF THAT IS YOUR DESIRE.
WE WOULD ASK THAT THE PUBLIC GO THROUGH THE SCREENING PROTOCOL LIKE MOST GOVERNMENT OFFICES ARE REQUIRING RIGHT NOW.
SO WE HAVE THAT FROM A PHYSICAL SPACE STANDPOINT FOR BOARD MEETING ROOM.
THE OTHER TOWN HALL MEETING ROOMS AVAIL D.S.C.
OR THE RESIDENTIAL DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEES OR THE H.O.A.S, THOSE COULD BE AVAILABLE AS WELL.
THERE IS A SCREEN PROTOCOL WE'D ASK F ATTENDING IN THE MEETING SPACES WOULD GO THROUGH THE SCREENING PROTOCOL.
WE FEEL LIKE IT WOULD BE A FAIRLY EASY TRANSITION IF THAT'S SOMETHING THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO DO.
AS FAR AS OPENING TOWN HALL, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT IF THE BOARD SO CHOOSES TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE IN-PERSON BOARD MEETINGS.
WE WOULD CERTAINLY ON THAT SAME DATE, IF OCTOBER IS CERTAINLY THE DATE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHOOSE, WE WOULD MAKE SURE TOWN HALL OFFICIALLY OPENS UP TO THE PUBLIC.
WE WOULD PROBABLY PUT PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE THAT WE WOULD CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ENTER THROUGH THE MAIN DOOR HERE AT TOWN HALL.
WE WOULD ALSO HAVE SCREENING PROTOCOLS IN PLACE.
WE WOULD PREFER TO SET UP APPOINTMENTS TO BE EFFICIENT IN TERMS OF DELIVERY OF SERVICES AND MAKING THE BEST USE OF THE PUBLIC'S TIME AS WELL AS THE STAFF MEMBERS' TIME.
BUT WE WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE WALK-IN NEEDED.
WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.
I THINK WE COULD ACCOMMODATE THAT.
OUR GOAL IS A STAFF AS I MET WITH THE MANAGEMENT TEAM THROUGHOUT THE WEEK TO MAKE SURE IN THE INTEREST OF CUSTOMER SERVICE WE ARE ABLE TO DELIVER SERVICES AS REMOTELY AS POSSIBLE.
IT IS EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO DO BUSINESS F BUSINESS THAN COME TO TOWN HALL.
I THINK YOU WILL FIND STAFF TO CONTINUE TO EVOLVE AND FIND WAYS TO DELIVER SERVICES REMOTELY.
FOR THE FOLKS WHO STILL WANT TO COME TO OFFICES, FOR WHATEVER NEED THAT MAY ARISE WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THOSE REQUESTS AS WELL.
REGARDLESS WHETHER YOU USE FACILITIES AT TOWN HALL OR OPEN UP TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO COME IN AND DO BUSIN THINK WE COULD HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE TO DO OCTOBER IF THE BOARD SO CHOOSES.
WE HAVE STAFF MEMBERS HERE TO ANSWER TECH QUESTIONS IF YOU'D LIKE.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: COULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LAYOUT OF THE BOARD CHAMBERS FOR THE SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS, WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT WE AS MEMBERS?
I THINK CHAIRMAN BUNCH IS HELPING WITH THE VISUAL AIDS HERE.
SO YOU CAN SEE THERE IS PLEXIGLASS SEPARATING EACH ONE OF THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBER PLACES AT THE DAIS.
YOU CAN SEE THE SIX-FOOT SPACING IN THE AUDIENCE AREA OF THE CHAMBER AS WELL.
AND IN THE MAIN LOBBY AS YOU COME IN THE FRONT DOORS OF TOWNSHIP HALL, YOU ACTUALLY HAVE EXTRA SEATING CAPACITY OUT THERE TO ALLOW FOR AGAIN THE SIX-FOOT SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENT FOR THE SPACING.
YOU CAN'T SEE IT THROUGH THE CHAIRMAN'S VIDEO NOW BUT AT THE FRONT DOOR THERE YOU WILL SEE HAND SANITATION STATION, A BOX OF FA FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THOSE OR MAY FORGET TO BRING THEM IN.
THEN WE HAVE THE TEMPERATURE SCREENING DEVICE THERE AT THE MAIN DOOR.
YOU KNOW I THINK WE HAVE PHYSICAL SETUP CAPABLE.
YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE ME, DIRECTOR SNYDER.
MAYBE WILLIAM OR KAREN CAN ANSWER THIS, BUT FOR WHAT OUR EXACT SEATING CAPACITY IS SET UP RIGHT NOW BUT CERTAINLY WE HAVE ENO SEATING, I BELIEVE, WE COULD ACCOMMODATE AN IN-PERSON BOARD MEETING.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I'M COUNTING.
YOU KNOW DEPENDING ON PEOPLE WHO ARE RELATED TO EACH OTHER YOU PROBABLY COULD HAVE MORE.
THEY CAN SIT CLOSER TO EACH OTHER IF THEY'RE IN THE SAME FAMILY.
I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR MOST MEETINGS AND THE FACILITIES ARE SET UP.
SEPARATORS IN PLACE ON THE DAIS AND STAFF RELOCATED OFF THE DAIS SO THE DIRECTORS
[00:40:04]
ARE THE ONLY MEMBERS UP ON THE STAGE.THE GOVERNOR HAS GONE TO 75% IN ALL KIND OF FACILITIES EXCEPT A BAR.
THE LAST TIME I CHECKED WE DON'T SERVE ALCOHOL IN THE TOWNSHIP CHAMBERS YET SO WE ARE NOT A BAR.
IT'S A MATTER OF THE BOARD PREVIOUSLY DECIDED TO STAY VIRTUAL SO LONG AS IT WAS ALLOWED AND IT'S STILL CURRENTLY ALLOWED.
BUT WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD TIMING TO LET THE BOARD WEIGH IN.
I WANT TO TAKE THESE IN BUCKETS.
DOES THE BOARD WANT TO COME BACK TO THE MEETINGS IN OCTOBER? CONSENSUS ON THAT?
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I'M NOT ADVOCATING WE APPLY FOR A LIQUOR LICENSE TO KEEP THE TOWNSHIP BOARD ROOM CLOSED.
WE HAVE DONE THIS FOR SIX MONTHS NOW.
I THINK IT'S TIME TO START SHOWING PEOPLE THAT WE NEED TO GET BACK TO HAVING MEETING IN ENVIRONMENT.
I'M COMPLETELY COMFORTABLE WITH THIS.
YOU KNOW, WOULD SUPPORT COMING BACK FOR O BOARD MEETING IN OCTOBER.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M TOTALLY FINE WITH RETURNING BACK TO THE TOWNSHIP BUILDING.
THE WAY THAT THE CLASS LOOKS LIKE IT FEELS LIKE A PENALTY BOX SO I'LL FIT RIGHT IN.
[LAUGHTER] >> TWO MINUT FOR HOOKING.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: IT WILL KEEP THE C BETWEEN US FOR SURE.
I WOULD LOVE TO BE IN PERSON WITH YOU ALL IN OCTOBER.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: I SUPPORT THE CONSENSUS.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: I JUST HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE ASK BE IT FROM THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS OR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND OUR MEETINGS.
WILL WE REQUIRE WEARING A FACE COVERING?
I KNOW COMING IN TO THE PUBLIC AREA THERE FOR FACE COVERINGS.
I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO THE SPACING.
KAREN OR ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO ADDRESS THAT? I WOULD THINK FOR US AS BOARD MEMBERS WE KNOW, GLASS BETWEEN US AS A PHYSICAL BARRIER.
I WON'T BE WEARING A MASK IN THE MEETING BASED ON THE DISTANCE.
IN FRONT OF THE DAIS THERE IS A MARKER FOR SIX FEET OUT IN FRONT OF US.
SO PEOPLE WOULD BE RESTRICTED AWAY FROM THAT SIX FOOT.
THE CHAIRS ARE ALL SIX FEET APART.
I THINK IT'S JUST IN THE PUBLIC AREA PROBABLY UPON TRY WE WOULD WANT TO HAVE MASKS.
ONCE THEY ARE SEATED AND SEPARATED I THINK THAT IS AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE.
ROBIN, YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN? ANYBODY ELSE?
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: GORDY, I WOULDN'T SUPPORT COMING BACK IF WE HAVE TO WEAR MASKS AT THE DAIS.
PEOPLE NEED TO SEE WHAT YOU ARE THINKIN EXPRESSION.
I CAN SEE WEARING MASKS TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE.
BUT WE ARE SEPARATED, THERE ARE SCREENS BETWEEN US.
TAKE OFF OF A MASK EVERY TIME TO SPEAK IN MICROPHONE IS KIND OF DEFEATING THE ENTIRE PURPOSE.
IF WE CAN'T DO IT ON THAT BASIS, THEN I'M NOT SURE I WOULD SUPPORT COMING BACK AND DOING THIS MASKED UP.
I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE MISHEARD WHAT I WAS SAYING.
SOMETHING FOR STAFF TO CONSIDER.
IF THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE MEETING; S D.S.C., I FOR ONE KNOW IT'S ONE OF THE MOST POPULATED RESIDENT VISITED ORGANIZATIONS.
SO JUST I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY CHAIRS ARE GOING TO BE IN THERE.
BUT FOR THAT PURPOSE, WE ARE REALLY CRUNCHED IN THERE.
WE COULD GET UP TO 40, 50 PEOPLE IN THERE AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER HOW ARE WE GOING TO THAT DISTANCE IF THE D.S.C.
GOES BACK TO MEETING IN PERSON.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: FRANKLY, JOHN, IF THE D.S.C.
IS GOING TO MEET IN PERSON YOU HAVE TO ME BOARDROOM.
YOU CAN'T PUT -- YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REQUISITE PRECAUTIONS IN THAT SIDE ROOM THAT KIND OF THE TRAFFIC.
[00:45:01]
YOU GUYS SITTING, THERE ARE NO SHIELDS IN ANYTHING ELSE.UNLESS CHAIRMAN BUNCH HAS AN ISSUE THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY REASON WHY THEY COULDN'T HAVE THE D.S.C.
MEETING -- OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN'T SCHEDULE THE SAME NIGHT AS THE BOARD MEETING.
BUT OTHERWISE THERE IS NO REASON WHY YOU COULDN'T USE THE BOARD DAIS.
>> WE DO HAVE A BOARD POLICY THAT GOVERNS USE OF THE BOARD CHAMBERS.
THAT THE BOARD WOULD HAVE TO RECONSIDER AND KAREN CAN PROBABLY BETTER ADVISE YOU ON THAT THAN I CAN.
I THINK WE CAN TAKE IT IN TO RECONSIDERATION.
KAREN, SHE IS LOOKING UP DETAILS OF THE CURRENT BOARD POLICY.
BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY ABOUT THE OTHER COMMITTEES AND THE H.O.A.S AND BOARDS, I THINK WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR TONIGHT IS THE BOARD TO APPROVE OUR MEETINGS COMING BACK TO IN-PERSON AND THE OTHER COMMITTEES AND BOARDS COMING BACK TO IN-PERSON MEETINGS IN THE FACILITIES.
I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO MICRO MANAGE HOW THAT OFF.
I THINK WE LET THE H.O.A.S WORK WITH STAFF ON THE LOCATIONS AND PROTOCOLS.
BUT I THINK ALL STAFF LOOKING FOR TONIGH IS OUR BOARD APPROVING THE OPENING OF TOWN HALL AND FACILITIES FOR THE COMMITTEES AND H.O.A.S TO MEET? I THINK THE CONSENSUS SOUNDS LIKE YES.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH, IF I MAY FOR THE CL PURPOSES SO STAFF KNOWS HOW TO DEVELOP A PROTOCOL AND HELP MESSAGE OUT TO T PUBLIC SHOULD SHALL GO AHEAD AND VOTE TO OPEN UP BOARD MEETINGS TO THE PUBLIC, JUST TO BE CLEAR, SO, MASKS WOULD OR WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED OF THE PUBLIC UPON ENTRANCE OF THE BUILDING? AND ALSO THE TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND THEN THE QUICK SURVEY ABOUT EXPOSURE OR ANY OF THAT? THOSE ARE THE THREE PROTOCOLS WE REQUIRE STAFF.
TO CLARIFY THE BOARD'S POSITION ON HOW YOU WOULD LIKE THE PUBLIC TO FOLLOW THAT PROTOCOL OR USE SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT.
WE HAVE ALSO REQUIRED MASKS AND SCREEN CONTRACTORS AND THE BUILDINGS AND ANYBODY ENTERED THE BUILDING WHILE TOWN HALL WAS CLOSED.
SO WHAT I'M OUGHTING IS WE ARE GOING TO REQUIRE MASKS IN THE PUBLIC AREAS.
AND THE SAME PROTOCOLS EVERYBODY ELSE IS FOLLOWING.
BUT ONCE THEY ENTER IN OUR CHAMBERS SO LONG AS THEY ARE SIX FEET APART IT BECOMES A OPTION OF THE PARTICIPANT OF THE MEETING.
FOR THE BOARD, WHICH IS SEPARATED BY GLASS AND HAS SIX FEET MARKERS IN FRONT OF US THAT WE WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO WEAR THE DAIS STATIONS.
IT'S NOT A TREMENDOUS DEVIATION OF WHAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY DOING.
IT'S JUST GIVING THE PERSON AN OPTION WHEN THEY SIT IN A ROOM AWAY FROM OTHERS TO CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO RETAIN THE MASK ONCE THEY ARE SEATED.
WITH THAT, I THINK WE HAVE A CONSENSUS FACILITIES AND I DID HEAR CLEARLY THAT THE STAFF IS IN A POSITION TO DO IN-PERSON WORK.
ALSO CONTINUE TO OFFER THE VIRTUAL SER RESIDENTS MAY PREFER.
IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER DIALOGUE I KNOW KAREN YOU WERE GOING TO OPINE ON THE POTENTIAL USE FOR THE D.S.C.
SO, AS TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY ROBIN CROSS NOTE BOARD POLICY THAT DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY ALLOW FOR THE USE OF THE BOARD CHAMBERS.
HOWEVER, IF THAT IS THE DIRECTION OF THE BOARD, BECAUSE THIS IS A TEMPORARY USE I'M CERTAIN WE CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.
I KNOW THAT STAFF HAD ALSO BEEN WORKING ON A PLAN TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THAT WITHIN THE EXISTING ROOM.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE STATUS OF THAT WAS.
BUT I KNOW IT WAS SOMETHING THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT IN ADDITION WITH THE VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS.
PLAN WOULD ALSO BE IF THEY ARE PERMITTED TO COME BACK TO THE BUILDING, THEY WOULD USE 150, 152 TO ALLOW THEM TO SOCIALLY DISTANCE SPACE OUT AS WELL.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: KAREN, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT ALMOST FOUR YEARS AGO,
[00:50:01]
THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, THE DRAINAGE ACTUALLY USED THE BOARD CHAMBERS BECAUSE WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A WHERE IT JUST PHYSICALLY WASN'T POSSIBLE TO USE 150-151.IS THERE ANY COMPELLING LEGAL REASON, RO CAN'T AMEND, TEMPORARILY AMEND OUR POLICY TO ALLOW THE USE OF THE BOARDROO UNTIL WE CAN, WE CAN ADEQUATELY GUARANTEE THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE HAVING MEETINGS?
>> POLICIES AREN'T ORDINANCES.
IT'S NOT POSTED AS A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM.
IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, THE ONLY LEGAL CONCERN REALLY THAT I HAVE IS THE USE OF THE LOGO.
THERE QUITE A BIT OF CONFUSION TO WHETHER THE D.S.C.
AND HAVING THE LOGO DISPLAYED VERY CLEAR THE BACKGROUND MAKES IT MORE OF A DIFFICULT CONSIDERATION TO MAINTAIN THAT SEPARATION.
BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY FIGURE OUT A WAY TEMPORARILY COVER IT UP.
AND THE BOARD CAN GO AHEAD AND INDICATE THAT UNDER THE GUISE OF THE EMERGENCY AUTHORITY AS POSTED TODAY IF YOU WANT TO BY MOTION TEMPORARILY AMEND YOUR POLICY TO ALLOW THE D.S.C.'S USE OF THE BOARD CHAMBERS DURING THE PANDEMIC.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS A LEGAL PROBLEM WITH THAT AS SUCH.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT GETTING IN TO SOME SORT OF TERRITORY BY TEMPORARILY AMENDING THE POLICY THAT IT WOULD THROW, YOU KNOW, MAKE US OBLIGATED TO DO IT IN THE FUTURE.
THAT IS THE QUESTION I'M ASKING YOU, ROBIN.
IF YOU ARE SPECIFIC THAT IT IS ONLY FOR T WHICH IS AN EMERGENCY, PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, AND THAT THIS IS NOT MEAN SET A PRECEDENT OR TO PROVIDE ANY OTHER PERMANENT USE OF THE BOARD CH THE FUTURE.
I THINK IT WOULD PLACE TOO MUCH OF A BURDEN ON THE D.S.C.
AND THE TOWNSHIP TO CREATE THIS ADDITIONAL SPACED ENVIRONMENT FOR THE OTHER MEETINGS.
FOR THE TIME BEING UNTIL WE GET TO THERE NO LONGER A REQUIRE TO SOCIALLY DISTANCE WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THIS.
IT'S THE SMART THING AND THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO DO THIS.
LIKE I SAID, BARRING A LEGAL REASON NOT TO, I WOULD ADVOCATE WE GO AHEAD AND DO IT.
WE'LL TAKE THAT AS A MOTION, DIRECTOR RIESER.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: SO MOVED.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: AND A SECOND.
THE MOTION IS FOR THE BOARD TO COME BACK TO IN-PERSON MEETINGS AUTHORIZE THE H.O.A.S AND THE COMMITTEES TO MEET IN THE FACILITIES AND FOR THE TEMPORARY USE OF TOWN HALL OF THE BOARD CHAMBERS FOR THE D.S.C.
COVERING UP THE LOGO IN ORDER TO HOLD SAFELY IN PERSON, SHOULD THEY CHOOSE OR NOT.
I THINK THAT WAS A GOOD POINT, ROBIN.
AND THEY ARE A COMPLETELY SEPARATE ENTITY.
SO MAKING THAT AVAILABLE TO THEM.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ANY OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? I WOULD WANT ONE MORE CLARIFICATION.
CREEKSIDE PARK MEETS AT ROB FLEMING.
I WOULD THINK WE SHOULD HAVE THEM ALLOWED TO MEET AT ROB FLEMING.
PLENTY OF SPACING OPPORTUNITIES THERE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH IS THIS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1?
WELL -- >> CHAIRMAN OCTOBER WOULD BE EFFECTIVE BUT OUR FIRST MEETING.
>> NOT FOR US BUT SOME OF THE VILLAGE AS MEET AS EARLY AS I THINK OCTOBER 7.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I BELIEVE JEFF UNDERSTOODCATED THAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY -- JEFF INDICATED THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE IT UP AND AVAILABLE FOR OCTOBER.
OCTOBER IS A REASONABLE TIME FRAME.
ANY CONCERNS WITH THE EARLIER OCTOBER?
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I THINK OUR INTENT WAS TO PREPARE TO OPEN UP THE FACILITY ON THE START DATE IN WHICH, ON THE OCTOBER 22 DATE, MEETING IN PERSON OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
IF WE NEED TO PIVOT TO BE ACCOMMODATING WE CAN DO THAT.
IT'S NOT A CHALLENGE WE COULDN'T OVERCOME IF THAT IS YOUR DESIRE.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: JEFF, WHY DON'T BALANCE AND SET OCTOBER 15.
THAT GIVES YOU A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO GET READY.
YOU KNOW, AND MAKE IT WORK FOR EVERYBODY CONCERNED.
[00:55:02]
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WELL, I THINK THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS A MEETING THAT I'M AWARE OF TRYING TO GET IN PERSON IS THE CREEKSIDE PARK FOR AN EARLIER DATE THAN THE 15TH.
I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY BARRIER FOR ACCOMMODATING THAT AT ROB FLEMING WHICH HAS A MASSIVE FACILITY.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I'M TALKING ABOUT TOWN HALL, GORDY.
THERE IS NO REASON CREEKSIDE PARK WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DISTANCE PEOPLE IN THAT FACILITY.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WHY DON'T WE DO THIS.
MOVE FOR STAFF THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SAFELY EXECUTE THE MEETING IN THE FACILITY BEING REQUESTED.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: FINE WITH ME.
[9. Receive, consider and act upon a presentation from Woodlands Water regarding smart meters and a proposal for related communications antennas;]
RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A PRESENTATION FROM THE WOODLANDS WATER REGARDING SMART METERS AND PROPOSED FOR RELATED COMMUNICATIONS ATTENNAS.>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN, BUNCH.
I'M GOING TO START AND I HAVE PROVIDED A PRESENTATION.
YOU DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO PUT IT UP ON THE SCREEN.
I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH AN INTRODUCTION AND AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT, METER UPGRADE PROJECT AND I'LL END UP WITH A SPECIFIC FOR A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TOWNSHIP ON INSTALLING TWO ANTENNA LOCATION WE ARE PROPOSING AROUND THE WOODLANDS.
THIS METER UPGRADE FOLLOWS A FIVE-YEAR REVIEW BY THE TEN M.U.D.S.
A LOT OF WORK FROM THE SPECIAL AD HOC COMMITTEE.
AND DETAIL REVIEW OF THE DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES AND THE METHODOLOGIES THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR UPGRADING METERING SYSTEM.
WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT THE FIRST TO DO THIS.
WE HAVE LOOKED AT IT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND WE HAVE SEEN OTHER COMMUNITIES DO THE UPGRADE.
AND WE FELT LIKE WE TOOK OUR TIME AND WE REVIEWED THE TECHNOLOGY AND MADE A PRETTY GOOD, A WISE DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
WE ARE LOOKING AT 34,000 RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS METERS TO BE UPGRADED.
THE INSTALLATIONS BEGAN THE WEEK OF AUGUST 24.
THE PURPOSE IS TO OPTIMIZE OUR OPERATIONS AND ENHANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
COMPLETION IS EXPECTED WITHIN AN 18-MONTH PERIOD.
THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCESS WE SELECTE COMPANY CALLED AMERESCO INCORPORATED TO BE CONTRACTOR AND PARTNER IN THIS EFFORT.
THE METER THAT WAS SELECTED IS AN UNTRA SO METER.
DATA LOGGER BUILT IN THE SYSTEM.
I THINK IT IS RATED OR WARRANTIED AT 98% ACCURACY OVER A 20-YEAR PERIOD.
SHOULD ANYBODY WANT TO OPEN THE METER AND GET IN THE BOX IT HAS A HIGH RESOLUTION SCREEN.
AGAIN, NO MOVING PARTS TO WEAR DOWN OR IM ACCURACY.
THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS IN THE GROUND NOW MECHANICAL METER THAT LOSES ACCURACY OVER TIME.
MOST OF OUR METERS ARE APPROACHING THE ENDS OF THEIR USEFUL LIFE.
SO IT WAS TIME TO LOOK AT UPGRADING IN SOME WAY AND THE ULTRASONIC METER SEEMED TO BE THE RIGHT CHOICE.
CUSTOMERS MAY SEE INCREASE IN THE MEASURED USAGE DUE TO IMPROVED ACCURACY.
IF YOU HAD A SLOW LEAK AROUND YOUR HOUSE WASN'T REGISTERED, WHEN THE NEW METER IS INSTALLED YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE THE INCREASED USAGE BUT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GO BACK THE DETAILED THEY DA OF WHEN THAT IS OCCURRING AND HELP YOU CORRECT THAT LEAK.
DOOR HANGERS WILL BE PLACED IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AHEAD OF THE INSTALLATION.
THE ORDER OF THE METER INSTALLATION FOLLOWS THE M.U.D.
SEQUENCE SHOWN ON YOUR SCREEN OR IN YOUR PACKET.
E-MAIL NOTICES WILL ALSO GO OUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS AHEAD OF THE INSTALLATION FOR ALL OF THE DATA BASE, THE E-MAIL DATA BASES IN OUR SYSTEM.
[01:00:07]
AGAIN, AMERESCO IS OUR CONTRACTOR FOR THIS METER UPGRADE.THE INSTALLERS WILL HAVE I.D.S, PHOTO I.D.S.
AND WILL NOT NEED TO ENTER THE HOME OR THE BUSINESS.
INSTALLERS WILL WORK BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:00 A.M.
THE INSTALLATION WILL REQUIRE ABOUT 30 MINUTES.
WATER SERVICE COULD BE INTERRUPTED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES.
THE INSTALLERS WILL NEED ACCESS TO THE METERS IF THEY ARE BEHIND FENCES.
OTHERWISE NO ACCESS IS NEEDED BUT IN A FE LOCATIONS WE HAVE THE METERS THAT ARE BEHIND THE FENCES.
SO WE WILL NEED TO COORDINATE THAT WITH T HOMEOWNER OR THE BUSINESS IN THAT INSTANCE.
METER USAGE DATA WILL BE AVAILABLE T WOODLANDS WATER, WATER SMART CUSTOMER PORTAL.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO LOG IN TO THAT WITH A SMART PHONE, LAPTOP OR DESK TOP AND IT WILL PROVIDE HOURLY, DAILY, MONTHLY WATER US INFORMATION.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SIGN UP FOR TEXT MESSAGES, E-MAIL MESSAGES, OR USAGE AND PHONE CALL ALERTS ALSO WILL BE AVAILABLE IF YOU WANT TO SET PARAMETERS.
IF YOUR WATER USAGE IS EXCEEDING PARAMETER, IT WILL SEND YOU AN ALERT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT USAGE.
WE ALSO HAVE A WEB PAGE WE HAVE SET UP.
A SPECIFIC PAGE FOR THIS PROJECT ON THE WOODLANDS WATER WEB PAGE.
DETAILED MAP OF THE INSTALLATION PROCESS.
IT DOES, IT HAS A TIMELINE FOR THE A.M.I.
IT GIVES YOU SOME IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT.
ESSENCE THIS GOES OVER WHAT I'M GOING OVER TONIGHT.
WE HAVE A SERIES OF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUES THAT ARE PROVIDED ON THE WEB PAGE.
BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOG ON AND TAKE A LOOK.
I THINK IT IS A VERY GOOD TOOL THAT WILL THROUGH US AND THE CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.
WE WILL TAKE THIS AND ANTENNAS AROUND THE WOODLANDS.
WE NEED 16 TO GET OVER 98% COVERAGE.
SIX WILL BE ON THE EXISTING ELEVATED STORAGE TANKS.
THREE ON THE EXISTING MONO POLES.
THREE ON THE NEW 75-FOOT POLES AND FOUR O 125-FOOT POLES.
TWO OF THE IDEAL LOCATIONS ARE AT FIRE ST SAWDUST ROAD AND TERRAMONT PARK.
THEY GEOGRAPHICALLY ARE WELL LOCATED TO HELP GET THE 98% PLUS COVERAGE FOR THE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT ONE OF THE POLES LOOKS LIKE AND THE DEVICE THAT WILL BE MOUNTED ON THE POLE TO HELP COLLECT THE SIGNAL THAT COMES FROM THE INDIVIDUAL WATER METERS AND GOES TO THIS ANTENNA REPEATER, IF YOU WILL.
THEN THE SIGNAL IS FORWARDED ON TO OUR SERVER HERE IN OUR WOODLANDS WATER AGENCY BUILDING.
WE WOULD LIKE TO PARTNER WITH THE TOWNSHIP TO INSTALL 125-FOOT MONO POLE AT TERRAMONT PARK.
AGAIN, WE WILL HAVE AN ANTENNA AT THE TOP GATEWAY COLLECTOR NEAR THE BOTTOM.
AT THIS LOCATION WE HAVE SELECTED, WE WILL HAVE A POWER SOURCE.
MONO POLE COULD BE UTILIZED FOR OTHER DEVICES; SUCH AS, LIGHTING, ANTENNAS, IRRIGATION COMMUNICATIONS, RADIO AND A HOST OF USES AS LONG AS WE HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT THE DURING THE INITIAL DESIGN.
HERE IS AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SITE THAT WE HAVE WORKED THROUGH AND SELECTED WITH THE INPUT FROM THE JOHN POWERS AND YOUR STAFF.
YOU CAN SEE THE GENERAL AREA LOCATION FOR THE POLE.
IF YOU WILL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, IT GETS MORE DETAILED ON THE NEXT SLIDE.
HERE IS AN EXISTING PUMP HOUSE FACILITY THERE.
THE STAKE ON THE RIGHT GIVES A BETTER LOCATION OF WHERE THE POLE WOULD BE LOCATED.
AGAIN, WE HAVE WORKED THIS LOCATION WITH THE INPUT FROM TOWNSHIP STAFF.
WE FEEL LIKE IT'S VERY WELL SUITED FOR THAT ENVIRONMENT AND THAT LOCATION.
HERE IS ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPH ENTRANCE TO THE WELL PUMP HOUSE.
[01:05:03]
VIEW LOOKING ON TO THE PARK FROM A PRI ENTRANCE.THEN THE SECOND LOCATION THAT WE ARE REQ PARTNERSHIP WITH IS A FIRE STATION ON SAWDUST ROAD.
THERE IS AN EXISTING POLE THERE.
THAT WE WOULD LIKE AGAIN PERMISSION AND A PARTNERSHIP TO UTILIZE THAT POLE.
IF FOR SOME REASON THAT WOULD NOT WORK OUT OR IS NOT AGREEABLE WE HAVE SELECTED AN ALTERNATE LOCATION.
THIS IS OUTSIDE THE FIRE STATION BUILDING AGAIN WITH THE INPUT FROM JOHN POW OTHERS AND OTHER STAFF.
THIS IS WHERE WE WOULD CONSTRUCT A NEW POLE IF FOR SOME REASON WE CAN'T WORK OUT A DEAL TO UTILIZE THE EXISTING POLE.
OR IF WE PUT ANTENNA UP THERE AND ISSUES CREATED OR THE PROBLEMS WERE CREATED.
WE WOULD CONSTRUCT A BRAND NEW POLE THERE AT THE SAME LOCATION.
THAT COMPLETES MY PRESENTATION.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: JIM, ONE OF THIS THINGS, MAYBE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTING TO SHARE IS I'M ASSUMING ELIMINATE THE NEAT FOR YOUR METER READERRING CONTRACT WITH I THINK IS THROUGHOUT THE WOODLANDS.
WE SPEND OVER $400,000 A YEAR WITH A CON READ THE WATER METERS.
WE HAVE A CREW THAT COMES IN 16 OR 17 METER READERS THAT ARE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE WOODLANDS FOR A TEN-DAY PERIOD READING THE METERS.
THIS WOULD ELIMINATE THAT EXPENSE AND SHORTEN THE TIME FRAME OF WHEN THE METER IS READ AND WHEN THE CUSTOMER WOULD GET THE BILL.
ENHANCED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT IN THAT ARENA.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I THINK HONESTLY, THE BIGGEST BENEFIT IS THE FACT THAT PEOPLE CAN BE ALERTED TO UNUSUAL WATER USAGE.
INDICATING SOME SORT OF LEAK THAT, YOU KNOW, CURRENTLY IT MAY TAKE A COUPLE OF MONTHS BEFORE THAT GETS DETECTED.
THEN YOU'VE GOT A PROTRACTED NEGOTIATION OVER, YOU KNOW, THE COST AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
I MEAN, I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA.
YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF THE EXPECTED PAYBACK IS ON THE SMART METERS?
DID AN COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS SO IT VARIES DEPENDING ON THE M.U.D.
AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE METERS AND THE S METERS.
BUT I WOULD SAY THAT THE AVERAGE RET INVESTMENT COMPLETE PAYBACK IS ABOUT 10 TO 12 YEARS.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: FAIR ENOUGH.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: MR. STINSO DR. SHELLEY.
THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SHARING THIS WITH US.
IN THE INTEREST OF COST EFFICIENCY, WHICH THIS SOUNDS LIKE A WONDERFUL WAY TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION.
WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT AUTOPAY FOR THE BILLS FOR THE WOODLAND WATER BILLS WE HAVE? I DON'T THINK THAT WE HAVE THAT OPTION.
>> WE ARE NOT POSTED FOR THAT.
WE ARE POSTED FOR THIS VERY SPECIFIC TOPIC, WHICH IS PARTNERING A PROPOSAL ON THE SMART METERS AND COMMUNICATION ANTENNAS.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: NO ANTENNAS INVOLVED WITH AUTO PAY.
>> WE DO HAVE THE CAPABILITY, YES.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: MR. CHAIRMAN, IF I MAY? ONE, THANK YOU, MR. STINSON.
IT SOUNDS MOST EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE TO US AS WOODLANDS RESIDENTS.
I'VE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE REACH OUT TO ME.
AND ASK IF THIS WILL AFFECT RADIO FREQUENCY.
COULD YOU ADDRESS THAT, PLEASE?
THE RADIO FREQUENCY, THE BAND THAT THIS OPERATES ON IS COMPARED TO A BABY MONITOR, WOULD HAVE A BABY MONITOR IN THEIR HOME.
IT'S THE SAME TYPE OF FREQUENCY.
IT WILL BE OUT NEAR THE STREET, UNDERGROUND.
SO ALL THE STUDIES THAT I HAVE SEEN AND T VENDOR HAS PROVIDED IS THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RISK TO HARM TO THE HUMAN COMING FROM THE RADIO SIGNAL THAT IS BEING TRANSMITTED IN THE STREET.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: THANK YOU.
[01:10:01]
>> MR. STINSON, I HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION.
I KNOW THIS WILL PROBABLY GET ADDRESSED LATER ON BUT A QUESTION I HAVE, I'M SURE IT WILL COME UP IS THE FACT THAT IS IT PO CHANGE THE COLOR OF THE POLES?
I'D BE HAPPY TO LOOK INTO THAT.
>> >> TREASURER TRYING TO GIVE YOU A FORECAST OF WHAT PEOPLE WILL THINK.
WE HAVE RESIDENTS THAT DON'T LIKE THE WHITE POLES.
SO IF IT'S BEHIND THE PUMP TOWER, ONE THAT IS MORE NATURAL COLOR BROWN OR GREEN WOULD MESH WITH THE TREES.
>> JIM, WHY 34,000 RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINE METERS?
>> THAT IS THE TOTAL METERS FOR THE TEN M.U.D.S THAT WE OVERSEE AT THE WOODLANDS WATER AGENCY.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: THE BALANCE AS IN THE M.U.D.
386 WHICH IS NOT PART OF WOODLANDS WATER.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA IF 386 IS CONSIDERING THIS?
>> I THINK I DID HEAR THEY ARE CONSIDERING THAT.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: ALL RIGHT.
THE PRESENTATION WAS ALSO TO GET APPROV EXISTING TOWER AND AN ADDITIONAL TOWER PLACED ON THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP PROPERTY.
ONE IS AT FIRE STATION THREE AND THE OTHER IS TERRAMONT PARK.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO RECEIVE THE REPORT APPROVE THE TWO TOWERS?
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: GORDY, I WANT TO ASK ONE LAST QUESTION.
I'M PERFECTLY OKAY WITH, YOU KNOW, WITH EXISTING POLE AT THE SAWDUST FIRE STATION SO LONG AS IT DOESN'T INTERFERE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS DOING THERE.
SO YOU MEAN IF YOU CAN -- JIM, IF YOU CAN OUT I'M PERFECTLY HAPPY WITH THAT.
IF IT DOES INTERFERE YOU HAVE TO PUT UP POLE.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT AND AGREE.
WE DO HAVE INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN UTILIZED QUITE A FEW OTHER CITIES WITH FIRE STATIONS ON COMMON POLES WITH NO ISSUES.
BUT IN THE EVENT SOMETHING WERE TO DE UNDERSTOOD COMPLETELY WE WOULD NEED TO PUT UP A NEW POLE.
I'M ALL FOR NOT PUTTING UP ANY MORE POLES THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO.
I WILL MOVE, MAKE THAT MOTION, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> IF I COULD ADD TO THAT MOTION THAT AT OR NEAR TERRAMONT PARK.
BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME LEGAL RESTRICTIONS IN PUTTING THE POLE IN THE PARK WITHOUT CERTAIN FINDINGS.
WE'LL BRING THOSE BACK WHEN WE BRING BACK AN I.L.A.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: SO MOVED.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ANY OPPOSED? IS ABSTENTIONS? THANK YOU, MR. STINSON.
[10. Receive, consider and act upon the financial report;]
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: NOW GO TO AGENDA ITEM TEN, RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE FINANCIAL REPORT.
I'M ABOUT TO LOSE MY VOICE BUT I'LL TRY TO GET THROUGH THIS REPORT.
>> IT'S AVAILABLE NOW, MONIQUE.
THIS IS THE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE EIGHT MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 2020.
IF TERMS OF OUR OPERATING REVENUES ON A YEAR TO DATE BASIS THE BUDGET IS $88.3 MILLION.
THE ACTUAL REVENUES ARE $84.7 MILLION.
SO THAT RESULTS IN AN UNFAVORABLE REVENUE VARIANCE OF ABOUT $3.5 MILLION.
YOU CAN SEE THERE THAT ONE OF THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS IS UNFAVORABLE VARIANCE IN THE SALES TAX REVENUE.
WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN MINUTE.
THE OTHER LARGEST PORTION OF THE UNFAVORABLE VARIANCE IS PROGRAM REVENUES.
THIS IS OUR BUS FARES ON THE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM ON THE PARK AND RIDE AND ALSO OUR RECREATION REVENUES.
BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF COVID.
[01:15:02]
OFFSETTING THOSE, LARGELY OFFSETTING THE UNFAVORABLE REVENUE IS A FAVORABLE VARIANCE AND EXPENSES RELATED TO COVID.SO NOW YOU'LL GO TO THE NEXT PAGE WHICH IS THE OPERATING EXPENDITURES.
IN THE TOTAL FOR THE EXPENDITURES, THE YEAR TO DATE BUDGET WAS $65.4 MILLION.
THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURES WERE $57.5 MILLION TO RESULT IN FAVORABLE EXPENSE VARIANCE OF $7.9 MILLION.
SO THE BOARD VERY EARLY ON AS WE ALL KNOW FIRST WITH THE BUDGET TASK FORCE AND THEN WITH THE ENTIRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS HAS PUT A PRIORITY ON BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES BUT ALSO LOOK FOR THE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE EXPENSES TO OFFSE DECLINE OF THE REVENUES.
SO WE CURRENTLY HAVE A 7.9 VARIANCE.
IT'S 3.4 MILLION FOR PARKS AND RECREATION.
1.8 MILLION IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS JUST UNDER $1 MILLION.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT AT $700,000.
THAT IS THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS THERE.
SO NEXT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SALES TAX REVENUE.
I WANT TO PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE OF WHERE WE ENDED UP IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.
FOR THE YEAR 2020, WHAT WE ORIGINALLY BUDGETED $54 MILLION.
SO IN OUR PROCESS AND NUMBERS, THE ASSUMP WERE LOOKING AT WE MADE A DECISION, THE BOARD MADE A DECISION TO REDUCE T FORECAST BY 11.2% FROM THE BUDGET.
SO WE WILL LOOK AT THAT IN A SECOND AND IMPORTANT.
SO THIS IS THE SALES TAX REPORT FOR THE MONTH, FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDING IN SEPTEMBER.
SO THIS IS REFERRING BACK TO ACTIVITY IN JULY.
IN JULY WE HAD A SPIKE IN THE COVID CASES HERE IN THE COUNTY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE SORT OF RETREATED BACK TO THEIR HOMES SO IN SEPTEMBER WE SAW INCREASE IN THE UNVARIABLE BUDGET VARIANCE OUT IN THE FAR RIGHT COLUMN OF ABOUT 20.8%.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOTAL THE YEAR TO DATE WHAT WE ARE OFF IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET IS 8.3%.
THAT IS FAVORABLE COMPARED TO THE 11.1% WE FORECASTED THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.
THAT SHOWS US WE ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE THAT.
SO THEN, I WANTED TO SHOW YOU.
I SHOULD MENTION, TOO, THAT WE HAD A BUDGET TASK FORCE MEETING TODAY.
THIS IS SOME OF THE MATERIALS THAT WE PR TO THE BUDGET TASK FORCE.
THEY TOOK A LOOK AT THIS AND AGAIN, THEY ARE VERY ACTIVE IN CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE FINANCIAL CONDITION AND THE IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC AS WE GO FORWARD.
I WANTED TO SHARE THIS WITH THE FULL BOARD TONIGHT.
SO WHAT THIS IS SHOWING IS THE PART IN YELLOW FOR THE REMAINING THREE MONTHS IF WE MAINTAINED BEING THE 20% OFF OF BUDGET -- WE ARE NOT PROJECTING THAT.
WE THINK WE WILL IMPROVE FROM THAT.
BUT EVEN IF WE WERE WHERE WE END UP AT THE END OF THE YEAR IS THE 11.1% WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.
SO EVEN AS A WORST CASE SCENARIO WE'LL STILL COME OUT WITH WHAT WE FORECASTED.
THE GREEN AMOUNT SHADED THERE SHOWS WE WILL COME OUT SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF WHERE WE FORECASTED.
SO IF FOR SOME REASON THE NUMBERS ARE WORSE THAN WHAT WE WERE LOOKING AT, WE HAVE OUR OPERATING EXPENSES WHICH I MENTIONED A SECOND AGO.
WE HAD $7.9 MILLION FAVORABLE VARIANCE.
WHAT WE FORECASTED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS WAS A $6.9 MILLION DECREASE.
SO IF YOU GO TO NEXT PAGE YOU WILL SEE THAT AS OF THE END OF JULY WE HAS ALREADY ACHIEVED THE $6.9 MILLION IN THE OPERATING SAVING.
NOW HERE A MONTH LATER IN AUGUST WE MILLION IN THE OPERATING EXPENSE SAVING.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THE TREND WILL NECESSARILY CONTINUE IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS THAT WE ARE ADDING TO THIS $1 MILLION A YEAR.
I THINK IT WILL TIGHTEN UP IN THE FOURTH BECAUSE IT TYPICALLY DOES.
REGARDLESS WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ANY WORSE THAN WHERE WE ARE NOW.
[01:20:03]
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I THINK YOU MEANT TO SAY $1 MILLION A MONTH.
SO NOT ONLY ARE WE LOOKING GOOD FOR THE FORECAST FOR WHAT WE DID IN TERMS OF THE REVENUE BUT ALSO IN EXPENDITURES.
WE ARE CERTAINLY AHEAD OF THE GAME.
THEN I WANT TO REMIND YOU EVEN IF FOR SOME REASON ALL OF THAT WENT SOUTH ON US, WE HAVE THANKS TO THE BOARD DECISIONS IN THE B PROCESS, WE HAVE A VERY HEALTHY SALES TAX CURRENTLY.
THE BOARD IN THE BUDGET PROCESS ADDED $1.9 MILLION TO THAT FOR 2020.
THE BOARD DIRECTED ANY FAVORABLE V REMAINING AT THE END OF THE YEAR WHICH PROJECTED TO BE $2 MILLION IN TERMS OF OUR UNDESIGNATED SURPLUS IT WOULD RESERVE.
THAT IS ALL I WANTED TO SHARE TONIGHT.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNEW WE WERE IN GOOD STEAD IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THE SALES TAX REVENUE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: MONIQUE, OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T FEEL WELL OR YOUR VOICE DOESN'T FEEL WELL.
SO I PERSONALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON SHARING THIS WITH US.
OBVIOUSLY THERE IS STILL A LOT OF UNCERTA SURROUNDING THE FUTURE SO I THINK THESE RESERVES MAKE SENSE.
A LOT OF THE POSITIVE VARIANCES ARE ALSO FROM CAPITAL DEFERMENT.
SO AS THESE SITUATIONS CHANGE, THOSE CAPI PROJECTS STILL EXIST.
THEY ARE JUST BEING DEFERRED TO YEARS WHERE THE FINANCIAL CONCERNS ARE BETTER.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: CHAIRMAN BUNCH, I WANT TO ECHO YOUR COMMENTS.
WE TALKED TODAY IN THE BUDGET TASK FORCE WITH THE STAFF ABOUT CONTINUING THIS FOR AT LEAST THROUGH NEXT YEAR.
UNTIL WE CAN, UNTIL WE ARE REALLY CERTAIN WE ARE OUT OF THE WOODS WITH THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING.
I JUST THINK IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
NUMBER ONE IT ALLOWS US TO LOOK AT THIS STUFF LITERALLY BEFORE WE HAVE A PROBLEM.
START MAKING ADJUSTMENTS AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD THAT WILL KEEP US FROM KIND OF FIGHTING FIRE AFTER IT HAS GOTTEN OUT OF HAND.
SO I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IT.
BUT ALL THREE OF THE BUDGET TASK FORCE MEMBERS FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT NECESSARILY HAS TO BE US BUT I THINK THIS IS A REALLY VALUABLE TOOL FOR THE TOWNSHIP AND FOR THE BOARD.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WELL, I THINK WE HAD AGREED TO EXTEND IT THROUGH THE YEAR.
AND REVISIT THE MEMBERS AFTER THE ELECTION.
I, TOO, VALUE THE BUDGET TASK FORCE AND WHAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE DONE TO PUT US IN A BETTER POSITION TO ADDRESS ISSUES.
I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN WE MIGHT BE ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO JUMP ON IT AS QUICKLY AS WE DID TO PUT US IN A POSITI GET IN TO THE BUDGET PROCESS AND NOT BE CAUGHT OFF-GUARD AND PUT IN A POSITION HAVING TO MAKE DIFFERENT DECISIONS.
THANK YOU FOR STAFF AND BUDGET TASK FORCE EFFORTS.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO A FINANCIAL REPORT?
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: SO MOVED.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: SECOND.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? THANK YOU.
MONIQUE, GET SOME THROAT LOZENGES.
[11. Receive, consider and act upon a discussion of Board policy changes;]
AGENDA ITEM 11 RECEIVE, CONSIDER A DISCUSSION ON THE BOARD POLICY CHANGES.>> SO, AS THE BOARD IS AWARE, YOU OPERATE LIMITED POLICIES.
THE MAJORITY OF YOUR OPERATIONS POLICIES ARE OBTAINED IN A SINGLE POLICY DOCUMENT.
WHICH ADDRESSES THE PUBLIC COMMENT, MEETING TIME AND LOCATION.
AND THE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS.
LAST MONTH WE DID GO THROUGH A COUPLE OF CHANGES TO THAT.
THE BOARD DID APPROVE CHANGES TO THE PRO REQUESTING AN AGENDA ITEM.
AND THEN PROVIDED TWO ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATION REGARDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY.
IN THAT DISCUSSION, THE BOARD DID REQUEST THAT STAFF RETURN WITH THE OPTIONS FOR ADOPTING FORMAL MOTIONS TO BE USED BY THE BOARD ON THE ROBERT'S RULES OF
[01:25:03]
ORDER OR PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE.AND THE REQUEST WAS MADE TO REVIEW THE BOARD'S USE OF THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
SO THOSE ARE THE TWO DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAVE FOR TODAY.
SO THE TOWNSHIP HAS GENERALLY FOLLOWED, T BOARD HAS GENERALLY FOLLOWED PARLIAMENTARY PROTOCOL, ROBERT'S RULES AND ORDERS BUT THEY HAVEN'T FORMALLY ADOPTED THOSE.
SO MOST OF WHAT THAT DOES IS REALLY TO PROVIDE ORDERLY, AN ORDERLY PROCESS SO EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE ORDER OF THINGS, THAT ARE TAKEN AND TO MAKE IT FOR THE UNDERSTAND AS WELL.
THE STAFF DID, I DID CREATE A CHART OF CO MOTIONS.
SO, OBVIOUSLY, THE FIRST FEW ARE ONES THAT THE BOARD COMMONLY USES.
I MOVE THAT WE TAKE SUCH-AND-SUCH ACTION.
AMENDING A MOTION IS ANOTHER ONE THAT COMMONLY USED.
WHAT I DID IN THIS CHART IS I WENT AHEAD AND I KIND OF COMPARTMENTALIZED IT.
WHERE THE CONFUSION GENERALLY COMES IN O CLARIFICATION IS I UNDERSTANDING, THE BOARD LOOKING FOR WAS REALLY IN TERMS OF WHO VOTES WHEN AND DOES SOMETHING SHUT DOWN CONVERSATION, IF SOMEBODY MAKES A MOTION CAN IT BE CHANGED, CAN IT STILL BE DEBATED.
WITH ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER AND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE THE BOARD HAS DONE FROM TIME TO TIME I KNOW THAT DIRECTOR RIESER BROUGHT UP A MOTION TO TABLE AS AN EXAMPLE.
OVER THE YEARS THE BOARD HAS, IF SOMEONE WANTED TO TABLE THINGS NOT DONE A VOTE.
THEY HAVE DONE IT WHERE IF THE TABLE GETS THEN THAT ENDS THE DISCUSSION AND WE MOVE ON.
OR IT'S ALSO BEEN HANDLED WHERE IT'S SECONDED AND VOTE.
THE MAJORITY APPROVED TO TABLE THEN IT IS LIKE ANY OTHER MOTION.
SO ONE OF THE BIG THINGS TO NOTE HERE IS ANY ONE OF THE MOTIONS WOULD REQUIRE A VOTE.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS IF YOU WANTED TO SUSPEND THE RULES OR END DEBATE THAT DOES REQUIRE TWO-THIRD OF THE VOTE AND NOT MAJORITY BUT FOR OUR BOARD COMPOSITION IT DOESN'T MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE EITHER WAY.
ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE BOARD, THAT PREVIOUS BOARDS HAVE NOT ADOPTED ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER FORMALLY BECAUSE IT CAN BE PERCEIVED SOMETIMES AS TYING YOUR HANDS.
I WILL USE OR MAKING THINGS NEEDLESSLY COMPLICATED.
I WILL USE THE CALL THE QUESTION AS AN EXAMPLE.
QUITE OFTEN WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS, "I CALL THE QUESTION," THE BOARD INSTEAD OF -- FUNCTIONALLY WHAT IT DOES IS END DEBATE AND THE BOARD HAS VOTED ON THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
TECHNICALLY TO DO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER YOU WOULD VOTE ON THE MOTION THAT CALLS THE QUESTION.
AND THEN GO BACK AND VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL.
SO THERE ARE THINGS THERE THAT THE BOARD MAY CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE AND NOT PARTICIPATE IN.
BUT THAT I WOULD SAY IS JUST ONE OF THE EXAMPLES.
SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT THE BOARD CAN DO.
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO ADOPT FORMAL DEFINITIONS.
YOU CAN DO THAT WITH THE FULL COMPLEMENT INCLUDED IN THE CHARTS SO THAT THERE IS NO CONFUSION OVER HOW THE BOARD WO HANDLE THE VARIOUS MOTIONS.
LET ME GET BACK TO THE TOP SO YOU CAN SEE THAT.
SO YOU CAN ADOPT IT, HAVE THE CHART INCORPORATED IN TO THE POLICY OR WE COULD JUST USE TO USE THIS AS A REFERENCE WITHOUT INCORPORATED IT IN TO THE POLICY.
IF THE BOARD WISHES YOU COULD CUT IT DOWN AND REALLY JUST GET TO THE DEFINITION.
SO IF YOU WANT TO OPEN UP THE DISCUSSION, I MOVE THAT WITHOUT HAVING THE FULL EXPLANATION OF DOES IT INTERRUPT AND HOW DO EACH OF THE MOTIONS WORK.
THAT IS REALLY UP TO THE BOARD TO DECIDE HOW IN-DEPTH YOU WANT TO GET.
AND THEN HOW STRINGENT YOU WANT TO BE.
[01:30:03]
ONE OF THE THINGS IF YOU WANT TO BE VERY STRICT WITH USE OF THE PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE IS SHOULD POINT OR DESIGNATE A PARLIAMENTARIAN.>> MR. CHAIRMAN -- >> GO AHEAD, ANN.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: THANK YOU, BRUCE.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE HEARD DURING MY TENURE ON THE BOARD IS WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEFERRING AN ITEM OR TABLING?
>> WITH ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER, DEFERRING IS A LARGER CATEGORY.
THAT INCLUDES WHAT THE SPECIFIC A TECHNICALLY TO TABLE OR TO POSTPONE.
BOTH OF THOSE ACTIONS DEFER AN AGENDA ITEM BUT THERE IS NOT A MOTION TO DEFER IN ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: THANK YOU.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: KAREN, THANK YOU FOR THIS.
REALLY, I AGREE WITH YOU THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH -- I DON'T WANT TO GET THIS SO TECHNICAL WE'D HAVE TO EMPLOY A PARLIAMENTARIAN.
I THINK REALLY THERE ARE TWO OR THREE KEY DEALS.
ONE IS TABLING THAT I HAVE SEEN USED OR INTERPRETED AT LEAST TWO WAYS.
I JUST THINK THAT MAYBE, WHAT I WOULD LI LOOKING AT THIS IS I DON'T KNOW THAT -- I'M NOT EVEN SURE THAT EVERYBOD BOARD UNDERSTANDS EVERY SINGLE MOTION HERE.
END DEBATE OBVIOUSLY EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT.
I THINK, I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO GET SO THAT THAT IS AN ISSUE.
I JUST THINK THAT THERE ARE A FEW THINGS.
FOR EXAMPLE, I THINK THE TABLING MOTION WHICH HAS BEEN USED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS SHOULD HAVE A CONSISTENT POLICY.
WHETHER OR NOT -- I'M SURPRISED, ACTUALLY, IN LOOKING AT THIS THAT WHEN YOU SAY, YOU KNOW, MOVE TO TABLE, IT DOESN INTERRUPT DISCUSSION.
A VOTE WOULD NEED TO BE TAKEN ON THE MOTION TO TABLE AT THAT POINT.
IF IT FAILS THEN OBVIOUSLY DISCUSSION WOULD CONTINUE.
KAREN, YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS.
I THINK THIS IS, THIS IS PROBABLY A LOT FURTHER THAN ANY OF US INTENDED TO GO.
I JUST WANTED TO CLEAR UP A FEW ISSUES LIKE HOW AGENDA ITEMS ARE PLACED, HOW PROCLAMATIONS ARE DONE, WHETHER OR NOT THE BOARD WANTS TO VOTE UP OR DOWN ON PROCLAMATIONS.
NOT JUST ALLOWING ONE OR TWO BOARD MEMBERS TO PLACE PROCLAMATIONS ON THE AGENDA.
AND THE TABLING MOTIONS ARE REALLY THE BOTHERED ME OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
SO IF I AM LOOKING AT THIS, YOU KNOW, DIRECTOR RIESER LAID OUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT ISSUES.
I THINK THIS ONE HAS TO DEAL WITH HOW DO WE DO MOTIONS AND ACTIVITIES DURING A MEETING.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE.
WE ALMOST NEVER USED ALL THESE DIFFERENT OF WORDS.
TO DIRECTOR RIESER'S POINT THE TABLING HAD BEEN REALLY ADDRESSED MULTIPLE DIFFERENT WAYS WITH NO CONSISTENCY.
I KIND OF LIKE THE WAY THIS TABLE IS WRITTEN BECAUSE IT TAKES A MAJORITY TO KILL AN ITEM.
VERSUS IN THE PAST WE HAVE BEEN HAVING TWO DIRECTORS OUT OF SEVEN KILL AN ITEM.
SO I WOULD THINK THAT THE TABLE MOTION MAKES SENSE.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: GORDY, OTHER THAN I THINK THAT A TABLING MOTION SHOULD INTERRUPT THE DISCUSSION.
IF SOMEBODY MAKES A TABLING MOTION, I THINK THAT POINT THE TABLING MOTION SHOULD BE TAKEN UP.
IF A MAJORITY, YOU KNOW, AGREED TO TABLE, THEN THE DISCUSSION WOULD BE ENDED.
BUT IF THEY DON'T, THEN, OF COURSE, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND GO ON.
THAT IS THE ONLY OBJECTION I HAVE TO THAT PARTICULAR MOTION.
[01:35:03]
BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THAT USED A LOT, IN DIFFERENT WAYS.I MEAN WE ACTUALLY GOT, WE WERE ACTUALLY AT THE POINT THREE YEARS AGO WHERE IF SOMEBODY SAID I MOVE TO TABLE THE DISCUSS WAS ENDED AND THERE WAS NO VOTE.
I LIKE WHAT I AM SEEING HERE WITH SOME REFINEMENTS.
MAYBE, YOU KNOW, I HATE TO PUNT IT AGAIN.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS IN HERE THAT I REALLY THINK THAT WE JUST NEED TO GO THROUGH AND KIND OF CLEAN UP.
BECAUSE MOST OF THE STUFF WE ARE SEEING HERE, WE REALLY DON'T GET IN TO IN THIS BOARD.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: CHAIRMAN?
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: MAY I ASK A QUESTION OF KAREN?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: PLEASE, DO.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: ON THIS ITEM, MOVE TO TABLE, WOULD YOU EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE FOR US BETWEEN DOES THIS MOTION INTERRUPT AND IS IT DEBATABLE? I THINK SOME OF US MAY HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: WHO ARE YOU INTERRUPTING BY SPEAKING? GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
IF BRUCE IS DISCUSSING SOMETHING AND I INTERRUPT HIM AND SAY MOVE TO TABLE, TO ME INTERRUPTION.
IF IT BRINGS THE CONVERSATION INCLUDING THOUGHTS TO AN END THAT TO ME MEANS IS AN INTERRUPTION.
BUT IF I WAIT FOR HIM TO END SPEAKING AND THEN I SAY I MOVE TO TABLE, THEN AT THAT POINT WHAT I THINK IS THAT THEN YOU DO CALL A SECOND, IF THERE IS A SECOND, YOU CALL FOR A VOTE.
WOULD YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU THINK THE INTERRUPTION MEANS?
SO THE INTERRUPTION IS DOES IT INTERRUPTS THE DEBATE OR THE DISCUSSION ON THE AGENDA ITEM? SO, TECHNICALLY IN THE SITUATIONS PROVIDED, EITHER ONE OF THOSE WOULD CONSIDERED AN INTERRUPTION IF YOU ARE STOPPING THE DEBATE AND THE DISCUSSION.
IT ALSO GETS IN TO THE HIERARCHY MOTIONS.
BECAUSE WHILE I DIDN'T INCLUDE THAT HERE HIERARCHY AND AN ORDER OVER WHAT COMES FIRST AND HOW YOU -- WE DON'T OFTEN, A WE HAVE IN THE PAST, WE
DON'T OFTEN GET IN TO -- >> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WEEDS?
THE AMENDMENTS OR THE FRIENDLY OR THE UNF AMENDMENTS AS THE CASE MAY BE.
WE HAVEN'T HAD THOSE IN A FEW YEARS.
BUT THERE IS A HIERARCHY TO HOW YOU WORK YOUR WAY KIND OF UP AND DOWN THE LADDER OF WHEN THE MOTIONS ARE MADE AND HOW THOSE ARE MADE.
AND THE INTERRUPTING PLAYS IN TO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.
BUT IT ALSO PLAYS IN TO DOES IT INTERRUPT THE ACTION THAT WAS IN FRONT OF THE BOARD?
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: KAREN, I JUST DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T THINK I WANT TO GET IN TO A -- I DON'T THINK I WANT TO GET IN TO THE ARCANE WEEDS ABOUT ALL OF THIS STUFF.
I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO EMPLOY A PARLIAMENTARIAN TO MANAGE BOARD DISCUSSION.
I DON'T THINK THAT WE ARE, I MEAN I DON'T REALLY THINK THAT OUR DISCUSSIONS REQUIRE THAT SORT OF CONTROL.
I JUST WANT, I WAS BASICALLY LOOKING AT FOUR OR FIVE SPECIFIC POLICIES THAT I HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS THAT WE JUST WEREN'T MANAGING CONSISTENTLY.
FOR EXAMPLE, I MEAN MOVE TO INTERRUPT.
IN MY VIEW, WE SHOULDN'T BE USING THAT EVER.
THE BOARD, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER BOARD PERS SPEAKING SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO COMPLETE THEIR THOUGHT.
AT THAT POINT IF YOU WANT TO MOVE TO TABLE, THAT IS FINE.
BUT INTERRUPTING SOMEBODY AND SAYING YOU KNOW, TRYING TO SHUT SOMEBODY OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A DISCUSSION IS PROBABLY NOT APPROPRIATE.
I'M NOT HEARING A LOT FROM THE REST OF THE BOARD.
I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO GO FROM -- THERE ARE THREE OR FOUR THINGS WE DON'T DO CONSISTENTLY TO THIS.
IF ANYBODY DISAGREES, I'M HAPPY TO LISTEN TO IT.
IT SEEMS LIKE THE STRENGTH OF THIS IS THE MAJORITY.
[01:40:01]
MAJORITY VOTE.FROM HEARING A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON THE WHOLE MOVE TO TABLE HISTORY, IT SEEMS LIKE THAT WOULD BE THE FOUNDATIONAL BEDROCK THAT SOUNDS LIKE WE MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT.
IS THE MAJORITY NEEDED OR EVEN THE TWO-THIRDS? THE TWO-THIRDS ON THIS, SEEMS LIKE SUSPE RULES I BELIEVE THAT PRIMARILY IS ROBERT'S RULES IN GENERAL SO THEN YOU ARE BACK TO FIGURE OUT YOUR OWN ANYWAY.
I THINK I REALLY LIKE WHAT VOTE IS NEEDED PORTION OF THIS CHART.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: THAT IS GOOD POINT, DIRECTOR NELSON.
I DON'T THINK THAT WE REALLY SHOULD EVER BE IN A POSITION TO SUSPEND THE RULES.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I THINK WE HAVE SUSPENDED OUR RULES BEFORE.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT CIRCUMSTAN ENTIRETY OF THE BOARD AGREED TO SUSPEND THE RULES FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE.
BUT THE CRUX OF THE MOTIONING ISSUE HAD WITH TABLING.
I THINK IF WE WANT TO ADDRESS THE TABLIN SAY IT REQUIRES A MAJORITY VOTE TO TABLE AND ONLY DEAL WITH THAT AND IT D INTERRUPT SO WE ALLOW PEOPLE TO FINISH THEIR THOUGHTS MAYBE THAT IS ONE THIN CAN ADDRESS AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THE OTHER ONES AREN'T REALLY IN CONFLICT.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT, GORDY.
AS I SAID, THOUGH, I DO FEEL THAT A MOTION TO TABLE SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY CONSIDERED.
I THINK IF SOMEBODY MAKES A MOVE TO TABLE, THAT VOTE SHOULD BE TAKEN AT THAT TIME.
I DON'T THINK SOMEBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO TO TABLE AND IT'S DONE.
THAT JUST, THAT IS WAY TOO DISRUPTIVE, FRANKLY.
EVEN THOUGH I HAVE TO ADMIT I DID USE IT.
BUT THAT WAS THE RULE AT THE TIME.
BUT I'M JUST SAYING TO YOU I ALSO BELIEVE I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A MAJORITY VOTE WHEN I DID IT.
BUT THAT WAS THE WAY THE RULE WAS EXPLAINED.
I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE.
>> SO WHAT I CAN DO TAKE THIS AND KIND OF, I'LL SAY, SIMPLIFY IF THE FOCUS IS REALLY ON WHAT VOTE NEEDED AND WHAT WE TRULY USE MOST OFTEN, I CAN SIMPLIFY THAT AND THEN JUST BRING THE SIMPLE VERSION OF IT BA EVEN PUT IT ON CONSENT IF IT'S -- BUT I WOULD THE BOARD TO GO AHEAD AND ON SOME LEVEL ENDORSE WHATEVER IT IS I'M PUTTING IN AS THE FINAL WORDING.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: KAREN, I'M GOOD WITH THAT.
I JUST THINK THAT THE EASIEST WAY TO HAN IS, YOU KNOW, MOTIONS ARE TAKEN IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE MOVED.
IF SOMEBODY MAKES A MOTION TO TABLE, OR SOMEBODY MAKES A MOTION TO WHATEVER, THAT MOTION TAKES PRECEDENT AND A MAJORITY VOTE SHOULD CONTROL AT THAT POINT.
IF THEY DON'T GET A MAJORITY VOTE, THEN SOMEBODY CAN SAY OKAY, FINE, WE'LL GO TO ANOTHER MOTION.
BUT I DO THINK THAT THAT IS PROBABLY THE SIMPLEST WAY TO HANDLE THIS.
NOT GETTING IN TO THE WELL, WE HAVE TO VOT FIRST AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO THIS.
NO, WE'LL TAKE THE MOTIONS IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE MADE, AS IT WERE.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO THE BOARD?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I'M FINE WITH THAT.
I MEAN, IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO ME HONESTLY.
I THINK IT'S REALLY BEEN NOT HAVING A MAJORITY WEIGH IN ON THE TABLING THAT HAS BEEN THE CONFUSION.
OR HAVING THE VARIANCES IN THE NUMBER OF T TABLING TO ACTUALLY GET AN ITEM TABLED.
IF KAREN COMES AND SIMPLIFIES THE CHART ON THE HISTORICAL INTERACTION FROM PREVIOUS BOARDS AND THIS BOARD I THINK SHE CAN MAKE IT EASIER ON ALL OF US BY THE SIMPLIFICATION.
IT'S REALLY WHAT IS THE PROCESS? YOU WANT THE HIERARCHAL MOTION ON THE FLO BEFORE ANY SECOND AND THIRD MOTION.
THEN, YOU KNOW, WE GO FROM THERE.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: I THINK WE DO NEED AN END DEBATE SITUATION WHICH IS BASICALLY WHAT SOME PEOPLE USE, THEY USE TABLING ENDING DEBATE.
BUT SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO USE CALLING THE QUESTION.
AS KAREN SAID IN THE WAY THE QUORUMS ARE SET UP AND THE NUMBER OF THE BOARD MEMBERS WE HAVE, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS MUCH THERE.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: DR. SHELLEY I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT WITH THAT.
[01:45:01]
A MOTION TO END DEBATE WHICH I HAVEN'T SEEN THE BOARD USE IN MY TENURE.>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I HAVE HEARD CALL THE QUESTION MAYBE TWO TIMES IN MY EIGHT YEARS.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAD TO GET OVERLY FORMAL WITH CALL THE QUESTION.
CALL THE QUESTION SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT IS A MOTION THAT CAN BE MADE.
I THINK KAREN HAS GOT ENOUGH EXPERIENCE WITH THIS BOARD AND HISTORICAL BOARDS TO TAKE WHAT SHE HAS GOT HERE CHARTED, TAKE THE FIEL WE ARE GIVING -- FEEDBACK WE ARE GIVING HER.
WE WANT A MAJORITY TO WEIGH IN ON THE MOTION.
NOT HAVE MINORITY MOTION CHANGE ANYTHING THAT WAY.
THE FULL BOARD REPRESENTATION IS BEING CONSIDERED.
THERE IS SEVEN MEMBERS ON THIS BOARD.
TWO OUT OF SEVEN TABLING ITEMS THAT THE O MAY WANT TO TAKE UP.
I THINK THAT IS KIND OF WHERE THE CRUX O STARTED.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: AGREED, GORDY.
I JUST DON'T WANT TO, I MEAN A LOT OF THESE RULES ARE WRITTEN FOR LARGE LEGISLATIVE BODIES.
WE SHOULD HAVE A FAIRLY SIMPLE SET OF RULES.
YOU KNOW, MAJORITY RULES ON THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
LIKE YOU SAID, I JUST, I WOULD LIKE TO HA PROCEDURES CLARIFIED SO EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IT THE SAME WAY EVERY TIME.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAVE ONE I HAVE A QUESTION ON, IF I MAY.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: KAREN, THE CONSIDER A PREVIOUS ACTION.
I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS HAPPEN RECENTLY BUT DURING MY FIRST SEVERAL YEARS ON THE BOARD SOMEONE WOULD MOVE TO RECONSIDER A VOTE THAT WAS TAKEN ON A PREVIOUS ACTS ITEM.
WOULD YOU ADDRESS HOW THAT WOULD WORK OR IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU FEEL WE SHOULD CONSIDER AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN ADDITION TO ITEMS THAT WE HAVE PROPOSED?
>> IN MY OPINION THAT IS ONE OF THE MORE COMPLICATED ONES BECAUSE IT DOES HAVE TIME LIMITS.
SO IT ISN'T -- IT HAS BEEN HANDLED VARIOUS WAYS BY DIFFERENT BOARDS IN THE PAST.
IT'S BEEN QUITE SOME TIME SINCE WE HAD ANYONE ASK TO RECONSIDER SOMETHING.
TYPICALLY IT DOES NEED TO BE RECONSIDERED WITHIN THE SAME MEETING.
NOT I WANT TO COME BACK TO NEXT MEETING AND RECONSIDER THE VOTE WE JUST TOOK.
I WOULD SAY THAT IS ONE WITH MORE LIMITED APPLICATION IN OUR HISTORY.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME? IS IT THE NEXT MEETING OR IT WITHIN A MONTH?
>> IT'S ACTUALLY WITHIN THE SAME MEETING.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: THANK YOU.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: MOVE TO RECONSIDER HAS TO BE DONE IN THE SAME MEETING.
IF YOU PASS SOMETHING, AND YOU WANT TO COME BACK IN THE NEXT MEETING AND CHANGE IT, YOU HAVE TO MAKE A FORMAL MOTION.
YOU HAVE TO AGENDA, MAKE A FORMAL MOTION AND THEN VOTE TO CHANGE IT.
VOTE TO RECONSIDER CAN'T BE USED AFTER THE FACT.
I MEAN YOU CAN BE IN THE SAME MEETING BUT NOT -- ONCE THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED THAT IS NO LONGER A TOOL THAT CAN BE EMPLOYED.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER BOARD POLICIES AND PROCEDURE THAT KAREN OUTLINED FOR US.
DID WE GIVE YOU ENOUGH TO SIMPLIFY THIS CHART ON THE FEEDBACK YOU RECEIVED SO FAR?
>> SO THE OTHER ITEM WAS FOR A REVIEW OF B COMMITTEES.
THE BOARD PRIMARILY OPERATES AS A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, WHICH IS IN RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT ALL DIRECTORS ARE ELECTED COMMUNITY.
TYPICALLY PROCESSES AND ISSUES ARE RESEAR THROUGH STAFF.
AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FULL BOARD.
TOWNSHIP HAS VERY LIMITED USE OF THE COMMITTEES.
AND ALL COMMITTEES ARE WORKING COMMITTEES BOARD AND DO NOT HAVE
[01:50:01]
INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY FINAL DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY.SO STANDING COMMITTEES, THERE ARE TWO ST COMMITTEES.
THESE ARE DEFINED IN THE BOARD POLICY.
AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.
THEY BOTH HAVE DEFINED PURPOSES.
THEY HAVE NO MORE THAN THREE MEMBERS.
MEET ONLY WHEN THERE IS A NEED OR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE.
THE MEETINGS ARE POSTED AND HELD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT.
DUE TO POTENTIAL FOR PRESENCE OF A QUORU BOARD.
THESE, EVERYONE FAMILIAR WITH THE AUDIT THE AUDIT REPORT COMES FORWARD ANNUALLY.
THEN THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE, THE INVEST POLICY COMES FORWARD BUT THEN THAT IS ALSO THE REPORTING THAT MONIQUE PROVIDES THROUGH THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT.
THEN WE HAVE AD HOC COMMITTEES.
AT VARIOUS TIMES WE HAVE HAD MORE THAN ONE BUT WE JUST HAVE ONE RIGHT NOW, AD HOCK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
THIS IS ALSO DEFINED IN THE BOARD COMMITTEE.
AD HOC ARE TEMPORARY BY DEFINITION.
ALL THE AD HOC COMMITTEES DO HAVE A CHARTER WHERE THE BOARD DEFINED THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE.
AND HAS SET A DEADLINE FOR WHEN THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETE OR TIME IN WHICH POINT THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER WHETHER TO TERMINATE AD HOCK COMMITTEE OR HAVE IT CONTINUE.
ALL OF THOSE, OR ADHOC ECONOMIC COMMITTEE AT THE TIME THE BOARD HAS MADE AND THE BOARD CHOOSES TO CONTINUE THAT EACH YEAR.
THEY ARE WORKING COMMITTEES WITH THE NO MORE THAN THE THREE MEMBERS.
THEY HOLD FORMAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOLLOWING THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES THAT ARE DEFINED IN THE BOARD POLICY.
SO THEY ARE NOT TRADITIONAL TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT OPEN MEETINGS.
BUT THEY HAVE A DEFINED PROCEDURE.
THAT IS A DECISION MADE BY THE BOARD OF D SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
THE OTHER THING THAT THE TOWNSHIP HAS IN TERMS OF COMMITTEE TYPE OF STRUCTURES ARE THE TASK FORCE STRUCTURE.
THOSE ARE NOT CURRENTLY DEFINED IN THE BOARD POLICY.
THEY TEND TO BE FAR LESS NORMAL THAN ANY OF THE OTHERS.
TYPICALLY THEY HAVE BEEN USED TO PROVIDE ADVISORY TYPICALLY FOR PROJECTS WORKING CONSULTANTS.
THE FIRST TASK FORCE WE USED WAS ON THE RESIDENTIAL SURVEY.
WE HAVE USED THE TASK FORCE FORMAT FOR PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER RECRUITMENT, FOR THE INCORPORATION STUDY.
AND WE HAVE THE BUDGET TASK FORCE AS WELL.
THE ROLE IS DEFINED WHEN THE BOARD CREATES THE TASK FORCE.
THEY ARE SHORTER-TERM AND REALLY JUST FOR THAT ONE SPECIFIED PURPOSE.
THOSE ARE LESS NORMAL MEETINGS AND ARE NOT POSTED.
THAT IS ALL THAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF THE COMMITTEES.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: OKAY, KAREN.
AS YOU WENT THROUGH THAT I THOUGHT OF DESIGNATIONS WE CREATED IN THIS PANDEMIC.
WE HAVE LIAISON APPOINTMENTS THAT WE USE NON-PROFIT LIAISON FOR DR. SNYDER AND THE MEDICAL LIAISON WAS DR. SEKULA-GIBBS.
THEY ARE NEITHER A COMMITTEE NOR A TASK FORCE.
THEY ARE ALSO NOT DEFINED WHEN WE APPOINTED LIAISON.
SO WHAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND WOULD BE TO PERHAPS ADD TASK FORCE TO THE BOARD POLICY AND LIAISON TO BOARD POLICY TO THE WAY YOU IDENTIFIED LIAISON IS NOT ON THERE, BUT INCORPORATED IN THE BOARD POLICY?
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I MEAN ESSENTIALLY YOU ARE JUST USING DIFFERENT TERMINOLOGY, GORDY.
THE LIAISON IS ESSENTIALLY A TASK FORCE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: NO, LIAISON TO SOMEONE SPECIFICALLY, IT'S A SENIOR DIRECTOR REPRESENTING SINGULAR ISSUE.
IS REALLY ATTENDING THIRD PARTY MEETINGS FOR THAT ONE PURPOSE.
LIKE THE TASK FORCE, YOU ARE ACTUALLY D MEETING WITH CONSULTANTS AND DOING OTHER THINGS.
IT'S NOT REALLY THE SAME THING.
I THINK LIAISON IS DIFFERENT THAN TASK FORCE.
[01:55:02]
TASK FORCE IS DIFFERENT THAN A STANDING COMMITTEE.ALTHOUGH PERHAPS THE DRAINAGE TASK FORCE BE MORE AS WE EVENTUALLY LOOK AT REBRANDING IT.
MAYBE IT SHOULD BE A STANDING COMMITTEE OF A TASK FORCE BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE EFFORT.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I WAS GOING TO SAY SITTING HERE THINKING ABOUT THIS THAT NEXT MONTH'S MEETING, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY ITEM TO TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THAT.
I DON'T THINK THAT THE DRAINAGE TASK FORCE WAS EVER ENVISIONED AS A LONG-TERM DEAL.
BASED ON THE INCREDIBLE IMPACTS AND THE ISSUES SURROUNDING ALL THE DIFFERENT WATER ISSUES IT PROBABLY SHOULD B STANDING COMMITTEE.
ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON COMMITTEES, TASK FORCE, AD HOCS, LIAISONS?
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: I HAVE A QUESTION FOR KAREN AND FOR YOU, CHAIRMAN.
THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD IS NOT, I DIDN'T SEE IT MENTIONED HERE.
MAYBE IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE MENTIONED.
BUT I BRING IT UP FOR HOUSEKEEPING PURPOSES.
>> THEY HAVE THEIR OWN CATEGORY IN THE POLICY.
>> LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY BOARD ALSO.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: AREN'T THOSE COMMITTEES DESIGNED ESSENTIALLY TO KEEP THE DESIGNATED BOARD MEMBER UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS GOING ON? IT'S NOT REALLY THAT THEY ARE LEADING IT.
IT'S REALLY THAT THEY ARE THE DESIGNATED HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON AND PROVIDE INPUT AND BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
SO THE ADVISORY COUNCILS ARE ADVISING STAFF.
THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR IS WHO IS BEING ADVISED.
THAT IS DEFINED IN THE POLICY.
WE HAVE IF LAW ENFORCEMENT -- DO WE HAVE THREE? LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THEN PARKS AND ADVISORY COUNCIL.
SO WITH THE DISCUSSION AND THE DIALOGUE A DEFINITIONS OUTLINED I THINK LIAISON IS THE ONLY ONE NOT OUTLINING BUT I THINK IS ENOUGH OF THE TEMPORARY ISSUES SPECIFIC, DIRECTOR, TO REPRESENT US IN THE THIRD PARTY EFFORTS AROUND WHATEVER IDENTIFIED TO BE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS TO PROVIDE FOR KAREN? WHAT I WOULD THINK IS KAREN COULD GO TAKE THIS FEEDBACK, CLEAN IT UP AND BRING A CLEANER VERSION FOR US TO APPROVE AT A FUTURE BOARD MEETING.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: WORKS FOR ME.
SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DO A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ANYTHING.
I'LL ALLOW KAREN TO DO CLEANING UP AND BRING IT BACK AT A FUTURE BOARD MEETING.
I APPRECIATE YOU GIVING US THE CHARTS.
I WILL SAY IT WAS HELPFUL FOR ME.
ALTHOUGH I DON'T USED 70% OF THE MOTIONS.
TO DIRECTOR SNYDER'S POINT MADE UP DEFERRAL.
BUT HAS THE SAME IMPACT AS POSTPONE.
WHEN YOU ARE CLEANING IT UP SHOW THE WORDS MEAN THE SAME OR WHATEVER.
WE DO NOT HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TONIGHT SO THERE IS NOT A REASON FOR AGENDA ITEM 12.
[14. Consideration of items to be placed on the agenda for next month's meeting;]
WE WILL GO TO AGENDA ITEM 14.ANY DIRECTOR REQUEST FOR THE AGENDA ITEMS FOR OCTOBER.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: CHAIRMAN BUNCH, IF I MAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE ESHORE CONCERNS T AGENDA WHEN WE MEET OCTOBER.
AS SOME OF YOU KNOW I LIVE THERE AND I HAVE BEEN PART OF ATTENDING THE BOARD MEETINGS AND ADDRESSING, NOT ADDRESSING BUT LIST THE CONCERNS.
YOU HEARD FROM THIS EVENING THEY WOULD LIKE US TO AT LEAST EXPRESS WHAT WE CAN OR THE MOVEMENT FORWARD.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: THANK YOU.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: GORDY, I WOULD LIKE TO PLACE AN AGENDA ITEM ON NEXT MONTH'S BOARD MEETING TO TALK ABOUT RETASKING OF THE DRAINAGE TASK FORCE.
I'LL PROBABLY SAY SOMETHING AT THE BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS.
I THINK I WANT TO BRING BACK WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED TO THE BOARD FOR FORMAL SANCTION.
[02:00:03]
DID YOU WANT TO ALSO INCLUDE POTENTIALLY MAKING IT A COMMITTEE RATHER THAN A TASK FORCE?
MAKES IT A STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD.
I JUST DON'T THINK WATER ISSUES ARE GOING TO GO AWAY ANYTIME IN OUR FUTURE.
LIGHTNING ROD AND A COMMITTEE THAT HAS G LOT OF THINGS DONE AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T THINK WERE POSSIBLE.
IT'S VALUABLE FOR THE TOWNSHIP AND THE RE AND I REALLY THINK, IT MERITS BEING A COMMITTEE.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: WITH THAT, IN ADDITION TO THE DRAINAGE TASK FORCE BEING A STANDING COMMITTEE I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE BEING A STANDING COMMITTEE.
WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF ISSUES THROUGHOUT ON THE BOARD.
I FEEL THAT IT HAS EARNED THE IMPORTANCE COMMUNITY TO BE A STANDING COMMITTEE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: IT'S BEEN HERE AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN HERE SO WE CAN ADD THAT AS CONSIDERATION.
OR WE MIGHT EVEN BE ABLE TO COMBINE EV CONSIDERATION OF AD HOCS AND THE OTHERS FOR PROPER PLACEMENT ON THE DEFINITIONS THAT KAREN IS GOING TO BRING BACK.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: CHAIRMAN I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT WHAT DR. SNYDER SAID ABOUT PUTTING THE E-SHORE CHANGE OF PLAT ON AN AGENDA ITEM.
I WOULD ALSO ASK WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST WAY TO BROADEN OUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THAT? I MEAN DO WE WANT TO INVITE PARTIES TO BE PRESENT? IS THAT SOMETHING WE HAVE TO POST THAT WE ARE GOING TO INVITE HOWARD HUGHES TO COME AND DISCUSS? OR IS THIS JUST THE STAFF, ARE WE GOING JUST TO STAFF INITIALLY?
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: SOMETHING LIKE THIS THERE IS TWO DIRECTIONS YOU CAN GO.
I WOULD THINK IF WE WANTED TO HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM HOWARD HUGHES AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMUNITY COME IN, I THINK IT WOULD BE A SEPARATE TOWN HALL TYPE ENVIRONMENT.
WHERE THAT IS THE SINGULAR AGENDA ITEM.
GIVEN THE LEVEL OF THE INTEREST.
WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS THAT HAVE IN ON THE ISSUE.
I THINK WE WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT STANDING ROOM ONLY TYPE ENVIRONMENT.
IT MAY BE THE WARRANTED EXTRA STEP.
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT IN A NORMAL BOARD MEETING UNLESS IT WAS THE ONLY AGENDA ITEM WE HAVE.
WE HAVE HAD TOWN HALLS IN THE PAST.
THE LAST ONE REALLY HAD TO DEAL WITH OVERPASS/UNDERPASS ON THE LAKEWOOD AND GROGAN'S MILL ROAD.
WHERE THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY INTEREST.
WE DID INVITE THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OR WOODLANDS ROAD UTILITIES DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES TO PRESENT THEIR PO ALLOW RESIDENTS NOT JUST FROM THE WOODLANDS BUT EVEN SHENANDOAH TO BRING CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROJECT.
I THINK THAT IS THE BETTER WAY TO ADDRESS THAT.
WHERE YOU HAVE THE STAKEHOLDERS ON BOTH SIDES TO OFFER THE INFORMATION IN A TOWN HALL ENVIRONMENT.
MY OTHER CHALLENGE WOULD BE HOW WOULD WE HOST THAT IN A MATTER THAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO ATTEND SO THE VOICES CAN BE HEARD IN CURRENT LIMITATION ON SPACE? I DO THINK WE CAN HAVE AN UPDATE AND DR. SNYDER CAN WEIGH IN ON THIS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE.
WE COULDN'T TALK ABOUT IT IN PUBLIC COMMENT BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE STAFF TO ESTABLISH THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
WHY DID THE APPROVAL GO TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON? INSTEAD OF COMING TO OUR BOARD.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT GOES TO THE D.S.C.
AND WE HAVE THE THAT ARE IN PLACE.
AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS WITHIN THE D.S.C.
AS FAR AS THE CONSIDERATION FOR THE TYPE OF ITEMS? YOU REMEMBER IN THE D.S.C.
AGREEMENTS WE HAVE DIFFERENT AREAS WHER RESIDENTIAL APPOINTEES HAVE MORE INFLUENCE VERSUS COMMERCIAL APPOINTEES HAVE DIFFERENT INFLUENCE ON ISSUES.
I THINK IT IS BENEFICIAL TO HAVE A STAFF PRESENTATION ON THE PROCESS OF WHY IT IS WHERE IT IS AT AND, YOU KNOW, HOW DOES IT WHERE IS THE TOWNSHIP INTERSECT WITH IT? BUT FOR A BROADER DIALOGUE OF MULTIPLE PARTIES PRESENT THAT HAS TO BE A TOWN HALL.
[02:05:01]
IT WOULD JUST, THERE IS A TREMENDOUS INTEREST IN THIS TOPIC FOR SURE.I THINK, KAREN, I THINK EVERY BOARD MEMB WOULD WANT TO BE LISTED AS WANTING TO HAVE THAT AS AN AGENDA ITEM.
I'M DOING WHAT I CAN INDIVIDUALLY AND I WILL DO IT IN THE BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS TO SUPPORTIVE FOR THE EFFORT.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: THERE IS NO REAS HAVEN'T A VIRTUAL TOWN HALL.
YOU ARE GETTING LARGE MASS MEETINGS DOING THESE SORTS OF THINGS.
MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO CONSIDER.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: I BELIEVE THAT IS POSSIBLE WE COULD DO A LARGE ONLINE TOWN HALL.
I AM HOSTING HUNDREDS MYSELF AT WORK.
SO I GUESS THAT IS A CONSIDERATION FOR THE BOARD.
DO YOU WANT TO HAVE ONE OR BOTH OR JUST ONE?
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: I DON'T THINK IN THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU HAVE THE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES IN PLACE UNLESS OF COURSE WE DO IT AT THE PAVILION.
OR NRG STADIUM THAT YOU WOULD HAVE ENOUG GET, TO DO IT.
I THINK RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT IDEAL BUT IT MIGHT BE THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO IT RIGHT NOW.
>> IF I MAY, WE HAVE HAD MEETINGS W NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS GATHERINGS AS WELL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY ATTENDING.
WE ARE PLANNING ON HAVING SEVERAL OT NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE HAVE A STEERING COMMITTEE THAT HOPEFULLY CAN HELP RESOLVE OR WORK TOGETHER.
I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SAY ANYTHING ELSE.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WELL, I THINK WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FUTURE ITEMS. WE ARE TRYING TO DECIDE DO WE WANT TO HOS TOWNSHIP TOWN HALL.
WHAT I HEARD FROM THE RESIDENTS IN THE LAST FEW DAY WHAT IS IS THE TOWNSHIP GOING TO DO TO HELP US RESOLVE THE ISSUE?
I PERSONALLY STARTED A PETITION -- >> SECRETARY SNYDER: I SAW THAT.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: -- TO MAKE SURE WE CAN CONSOLIDATE THE VOICES OF OUR RESIDENTS BECAUSE THE BOARD HASN'T HAD AN AGENDA ITEM WE CAN OFFICIALLY DO ANYTHING OFFICIAL FROM THE TOWNSHIP.
NOT ME AS THE CHAIRMAN OR US AS A TOWNSHIP BUT I FELT I COULD ORGANIZE THAT FOR THEM TO GIVE THEM A WAY TO CONSOLIDATE AND WE COULD PRESENT FEEDBACK TO THE HOUSTON PLANNING BOARD.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: I'M SORRY, CHAIRMAN.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: YEAH, SO I THINK THEY WANTED TO KNOW SEPARATE FROM WHAT WE ARE DOING INDIVIDUALS -- CHAIRMAN, ON THE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS, SETTING FUTURE MEETINGS.
I'M SORRY, WE ARE -- I KNOW YOU REALLY WANT TO ADDRESS PUBLIC COMMENT WE HAVE STRAYED OFF OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: WE ARE TRYING TO TALK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE'LL HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM BY STAFF OR A TOWN HALL.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND THE PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO AND I TOE WE HEARD VOICES TONIGHT.
WE ALSO HAVE A PETITION THAT WE HAVE CIRCULATED AND GONE DOOR TO DOOR.
>> SECRETARY SNYDER: THE TOWNSHIP TO EXPLAIN WHAT WE AS A TOWNSHIP CAN DO.
I THINK THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN ASKED REPEATEDLY.
AND SHARED WITH THEM ONE TO CALL THE TOWNSHIP BUT ALSO THAT I WOULD ASK FOR IT TO BE AN AGENDA ITEM.
THAT YOU OR STAFF, CHAIRMAN, I KNOW YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, TOO.
BUT IF WE COULD TELL THEM WHAT THE TOWNSH CANNOT DO.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: TOTALLY FINE.
WE'LL HAVE A TOWNSHIP AGENDA ITEM.
I SENT INFORMATION TO JEFF THIS AFTERNOON BELIEVING THAT WAS GOING TO BE A REQUEST.
I THINK WE WILL GO IN A GOOD POSITION TO EXPLAIN THE TOWNSHIP'S POSITION.
WE'LL FORGO THE TOWN HALL FOR NOW AND WE COULD CALL A TOWN HALL OR SPECIAL MEETING SHOULD SOMETHING ARISE WE NEED TO DO SO.
[15. Board announcements; and]
OTHER REQUESTED AGENDA ITEMS FOR OCTOBER? I DO WANTED TO REMIND THAT WE DID AT THE LAST MEETING WE ASKED ABOUT THE ENTERGY MAKING A GRID AND THE POWER PLANT AND I'M NOT WHETHER THE TIMING IS WORKING OUT FOR THEM OCTOBER.I HAVE ADVISED STAFF IF IT'S NOT A GOOD TIME, IT'S OKAY FOR THEM TO COME BACK AT A
[02:10:07]
BETTER TIME FOR THEM GIVEN ISSUES WITH HURR AND OTHERS.THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATI MONTH'S MEETINGS.
I THINK OCTOBER WILL BE LONGER MEETING ST THAN THIS MONTH.
>> DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS: I HAVE AN AN CHAIRMAN.
LAST MEETING I ANNOUNCED THAT WOODLANDS WATER AND THE SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY AND KIMLY-HORN ENGINEERING WOULD REPORT O WASTEWATER AND TEN-MAN EXHAUST SYSTEM.
THEY HAVE ASKED FOR MORE TIME.
THE ENGINEERING FIRM ASKED FOR MORE TIME.
SO AS SOON AS THAT IS ESTABLISHED I WILL BRING IT BACK.
FOR THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT MATTER.
I WANTED TO MAKE THE STATEMENT THAT THAT IS NOW POST TONED -- POSTPONED.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: OTHER BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS?
I WANT TO REPORT AT THE DRAINAGE TASK FORCE MEETING YESTERDAY, THE TASK FORCE UNANIMOUSLY AGREED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE REMIT OF THE TASK FORCE CHANGE TO INCLUDE ALL WATER-RELATED ISSUES.
SURFACE WATER GROUND WATER, SUBSIDENCE AND STORM WATER.
WE ARE PROPOSING THAT THE TASK FORCE NAME TO THE TOWNSHIP ONE WATER TASK FORCE GOING FORWARD.
SO WE'LL BRING THAT TO THE BOARD NEXT MONTH.
I WILL GIVE YOU A REPORT ON WHERE WE ARE GOING.
I'LL THROW IN TASK FORCE OR COMMITTEE DEPENDING ON DEFINITION.
ANY OTHER BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS? OKAY.
WELL, IT WILL BE NICE TO GET EVERYBODY BACK IN THE SAME ROOM NEXT MONTH.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY PUBLIC AND STAFF ACOME DATING WITH THE ZOOM MEETINGS ACCOMMODATING WITH THE ZOOM MEETINGS FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS.
IT'S A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE BEING HERE ALONE.
I'M ACTUALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYBODY.
[LAUGHTER] HOPEFULLY TH IS NO REASON WE CAN'T CONVENE IN PERSON NEXT MONTH.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY REMOTE ZOOMING IN LAST SIX MONTHS.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT MONTH.
>> VICE-CHAIR RIESER: SO MOVED.
>> CHAIRMAN BUNCH: ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
[ADJOURN]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.