MINUTES
REGION H WATER PLANNING GROUP MEETING
10:00 A.M.
SEPTEMBER 2, 1998
CITY HALL, CONROE, TEXAS

MEMBERS PRESENT: James Adams, Chairman, Frederick Perrenot, Cynthia Schmidt, Jack Searcy, Jr., David Jenkins, Carolyn Johnson, Jack Harris, Mark Evans, John Bartos, Tom Manison, James Murray, Steve Tyler, Michael Sullivan, Danny Vance, Ron Neighbors, Ernest Rebuck, Tom Ray, Marvin Marcell, Robert Eckels, Harold Wallace, Mary Alice Gonzales, James Morrison, Robert Bruner, alternate Malcolm Beckendorff for Roosevelt Alexander, alternate Jace Houston for William Teer.

PRESIDING: James Adams

INTRODUCTIONS:

Alternates: Malcolm Beckendorff for Roosevelt Alexander, and Jace Houston for William Teer.

Meeting called to order.

APPROVAL MINUTES OF JULY 29, 1998 MEETING:

Amendments to Minutes:

A lengthy discussion was held regarding the hourly wage rate of the group and the contribution of in-kind services. Also, staff of Brown & Root will come back with additional information.

San Jacinto River Authority was recognized for their contribution to the planning process for funding--the first phase of the development of the scope of work and the grant application.

Motion to accept as amended by James Murray. Seconded by Danny Vance. Motion carried.

OPT-OUT PROCEDURE, TERMS OF PARTICIPATION:

Amendment to the Bylaws is not required. Proposed Resolution 2, 98-002, reviewed by membership.

Chairman Adams pointed out that if an entity opts out of the regional planning process, their ability to receive financial assistance from the Texas Water Development Board could be adversely effected, but a provision for opting out is provided.

Motion to adopt resolution made by Ron Neighbors. Seconded by Judge Evans. Motion carried.

LETTER FOR INFORMATIONAL SUB-AREAS:

The Chairman submitted draft letters to be sent to adjacent Regions C, I, G, and K and to regions not adjacent to Region H. The letters comply with 31 TAC, Chapter 357.6(6), regarding the designation of geographical regions as informational subareas.

It was requested that Asubarea@ be revised to Asubarea(s).@

It was noted that informational subareas will be identified as the planning process proceeds and this will be one issue of discussion at public meetings held throughout the region.

Motion by Frederick Perrenot for Chairman to proceed with issuance of letters as amended. Seconded by Carolyn Johnson. Motion carried.

UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF GRANT APPLICATION:

Breakdown of finances for expenditures per year has been completed.

Administrative review of grant application completed by Texas Water Development Board and comments to be issued. Technical review to be started in early September. Contingencies will need additional backup information.

FUNDING REPORT:

Brown & Root recounted the funding proposal for cash contributions in the grant application.

Chairman Adams stated that all checks should be made out in the name of the San Jacinto River Authority.

Frederick Perrenot answered questions regarding participation and stated that the dollar amount requested from individual municipalities would be based upon population.

Linda Shead mentioned that the Galveston Bay Foundation had taken under consideration a proposal to contribute $1,000.00.

Carolyn Johnson has already received commitments from private industry.

HARRIS/GALVESTON COASTAL SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT=S GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN:

The presentation is attached.

The presentation was followed by a brief question and answer session.

Chairman Adams requested Mr. Neighbors to present information on the Fort Bend Subsidence District at another meeting. In addition he asked Frederick Perrenot to make a presentation at the next meeting regarding the City of Houston's public water system and Mr. Perrenot accepted.

GENERAL DISCUSSION:

Chairman Adams stated his new e-mail number was sjra@lcc.net.

Some of the planning regions have begun the process of informing the public regarding the regional planning process included in Senate Bill 1. The program put forth by Brown & Root considered the two-year planning process for the project. Decisions need to be made on how to bring the general public and important decision-makers through that two-year period.

Within Brown & Root=s Scope of Work is included, budgetary dollars to provide postings and notices, networking, newsletters, specific meetings, mailing lists, press, radio, television, internet, responses of different types, questionnaires, public meetings, and the receipt of distribution of verbal and written responses to specific inquiries.

A series of public meetings is proposed to occur throughout the course of the project. The hope is to ferret out the issues and concerns and gain feedback on the progress of the project.

At the completion of the planning process there will be meetings to review the regional water plan prior to it's submittal to the Texas Water Development Board.

One of the first tasks after the grant application process is concluded is for Brown & Root to prepare informational packages for each member to take back to their constituencies to begin the process of distributing information.

TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD COMMUNICATIONS:

General discussion: eligibility of TWDB grant funding for additional work on population projections, notice requirements for committee meetings, and timing for receiving local cash contributions as part of the local share of the grant funding.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None.

NEXT MEETING:

October 7, 1998, 10:00 a.m., City Hall, Conroe, Texas.

Adjourn:

Motion by Robert Bruner. Seconded by James Morrison. Meeting adjourned.

  

ATTEST:

          Secretary